Prevalence of Primary Multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
Gastric Mucosa Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis for Detecting Helicobacter pylori and Antibiotic Resistance
Published on: March 7, 2025
Mohsen Karbalaei1, Masoud Keikha2, Amin Talebi Bezmin Abadi3
1Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran.
Insights
Multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (MDR H. pylori) affects 6.0% of children globally. Understanding regional differences in MDR H. pylori prevalence is crucial for effective treatment and controlling antibiotic resistance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging global health threat of multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (MDR H. pylori) in children.
- MDR H. pylori infection in pediatric populations increases risk for severe complications, including gastric cancer.
- Need for accurate prevalence data to guide public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the global prevalence of primary multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (MDR H. pylori) in children.
- To conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to synthesize existing data.
- To identify geographical variations in MDR H. pylori prevalence.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of international databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar) from 2011 to July 2022.
- Inclusion of 19 studies meeting predefined criteria.
- Meta-analysis calculating the event rate and 95% confidence intervals for primary MDR H. pylori in children.
Main Results:
- Overall prevalence of primary MDR H. pylori in children was found to be 6.0% (95% CI: 3.1-11.6).
- Significant disparities in primary MDR H. pylori resistance rates were observed between Asian populations and Western countries.
- The findings highlight geographical variations in H. pylori antibiotic resistance.
Conclusions:
- The global prevalence of MDR H. pylori in children necessitates urgent attention.
- Geographical differences in infection rates underscore the need for localized treatment strategies.
- Implementing drug susceptibility testing and effective H. pylori eradication is vital to combat antibiotic resistance worldwide.
Background:
The emergence and global spread of multidrug-resistant Helicobacter pylori (MDR H. pylori) is a major health problem in children, which can increase the risk of serious complications such as gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of primary MDR H. pylori in children via a comprehensive systematic literature review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
All potential studies were collected from international databases like: ISI Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus from 2011-July 24, 2022. Ultimately, primary MDR H. pylori in children was measured as an event rate with corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
Results:
A total of 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of primary MDR H. pylori in children was measured at 6.0% (95% CI: 3.1-11.6); There was a significant difference in primary MDR H. pylori resistance rates between Asian populations and Western countries.
Conclusions:
The global spread of MDR H. pylori strains could significantly limit the options of anti-H. pylori treatment regimens. The frequency of primary MDR H. pylori infection differs between various geographical regions. Thus, drug susceptibility testing and the eradication of H. pylori infection can effectively reduce and control the spread of H. pylori antibiotic resistance throughout the world.
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