The infection and antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori in children and adolescents in Huzhou, Zhejiang

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence of H.pylori (HP) infection and antibiotic resistance in symptomatic children and adolescents in Huzhou, Zhejiang. Methods HP strains were isolated from gastric mucosa biopsy specimens collected from 391 symptomatic children and adolescents at the age of 10-18 years old in Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2014 to June 2017. Plate incorporation method was used to determine drug sensitivity. Results There were 107 (27.37%) HP strains isolated from 391 gastric mucosa biopsy specimens. The positive rate of HP in children and adolescents with duodenal ulcer was significantly higher than that in ones with chronic gastritis (67.24%∶20.42%, χ2=54.479, P<0.01) . The resistance rates of 107 HP strains to clarithromycin, metronidazole and levofloxacin were 22.43% (24 stains) , 73.83% (79 strains) and 11.82% (13 strains) , respectively. No strain was resistant to amoxicillin, furazolidone or tetracycline. The resistance rate to clarithromycin among adolescents between 15 and 18 years old was obviously higher than that among children between 10 and 14 years old (29.73%∶6.06%, χ2=6.051, P<0.05) . Conclusions The resistance rates to clarithromycin and metronidazole in children and adolescents in Huzhou are very high. The isolated culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing of HP should be paid attention. The different antibiotic resistance rates with different ages should be considered during clinical treatment. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Antibiotic resistance; Children; Adolescents; Treatment