[Bismuth subsalicylate treatment in chronic Campylobacter pylori-associated erosive gastritis]

In a prospective open study 21 patients with upper abdominal complaints and chronic active gastritis as well as endoscopically proven erosions were treated with bismuth subsalicylate (4 X 30 ml/day, corresponding to 4 X 314 mg Bi3+) for three weeks. In 20 patients (95%) Campylobacter pylori (CP) was found in at least two of three examinations (culture, CLO quick-test, special histology). After the treatment 17 of 21 patients (81%) were CP negative, and the clinical symptoms had gradually disappeared. The histologically demonstrated degree of activity had regressed significantly after the three-week treatment; in 90% of patients the inflammatory process had completely abated. These results demonstrate that bismuth subsalicylate is highly effective in the acute treatment of CP-associated chronic erosive gastritis.