Treatment strategies for Helicobacter pylori infection

Peptic ulcer disease is strongly associated with infection by Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped, flagellated organism found predominantly in the gastric antrum. More than 90 percent of duodenal ulcers and adenocarcinomas of the distal stomach are associated with H. pylori infection. Eradication of the organism effectively prevents relapses of gastroduodenal ulcers associated with H. pylori. In patients undergoing endoscopy, the rapid urease test is highly sensitive and specific in diagnosing H. pylori infection. Noninvasive diagnostic methods include serologic antibody measurements and urea breath testing. Empiric therapy may be tried if the diagnosis is suspected on a clinical basis. Traditional 14-day "triple therapy" with bismuth, metronidazole and either amoxicillin or tetracycline has consistently produced eradication rates of approximately 90 percent. Newer combination regimens have shown promise in a smaller number of studies. No single agent given as monotherapy has proved to be acceptably effective in clinical studies.