Fluorescence in situ hybridization compared with conventional cytology for the diagnosis of malignant biliary tract strictures in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has improved the diagnostic performance of cytology for the evaluation of malignant biliary strictures in the United States and Europe. The utility of FISH for the diagnosis of biliary strictures in Asia is currently unknown. We aimed to compare the sensitivity of FISH and conventional cytology for the diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures in Thai patients. METHODS: A prospective study was performed at 2 university hospitals between 2010 and 2013. Patients being evaluated for malignant-appearing biliary strictures were included (N = 99). Bile duct brushings were collected and assessed by cytology and FISH. Sensitivities with 95% confidence intervals of cytology and FISH were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The overall sensitivities of cytology and FISH were 38% and 55%, respectively (P = .001). For those with a diagnosis of cancer based on clinical evidence without biopsy confirmation (n = 44), the sensitivities of cytology and FISH were 43% and 57%, respectively (P = .06). For the 49 patients for whom a cancer diagnosis was confirmed by pathology, FISH had a significantly higher sensitivity than cytology, with a sensitivity of 53% versus 33%, respectively (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: FISH improves the diagnostic performance of cytology and can be used as a complementary tool to bile duct brushing and biopsy for the evaluation of malignancy in biliary strictures in Asian populations.

A combination of clinical risk stratification and fecal immunochemical test results to prioritize colonoscopy screening in asymptomatic participants.

BACKGROUND: Stool-based colonoscopy is the preferred strategy for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. The Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening System (APCS) score also is helpful in stratifying the risk for advanced neoplasia in the asymptomatic population. The combination of the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) result and clinical risk stratification may be more helpful in stratifying the risk. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of the combination of FIT and APCS scores in stratifying asymptomatic participants for colonoscopy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 948 asymptomatic participants eligible for screening colonoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: FIT, APCS score evaluation, screening colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in 4 different groups of participants according to FIT and APCS score evaluations. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-advanced and advanced neoplasia in the 4 groups (high risk with positive FIT result, high risk with negative FIT result, moderate risk with positive FIT result, and moderate risk with negative FIT result) was 44% versus 36.9%, 30.1% versus 11.6%, 27.1% versus 12%, and 22.6% versus 6.4%, respectively (P < .001). Participants with both high-risk scores and positive FIT results had a significantly higher detection rate of advanced neoplasia (6.15-fold, 95% confidence interval, 3.72-10.17) compared with the other 3 groups. Seven cancers were discovered; 4 were in the high-risk with positive FIT result group. LIMITATIONS: Hospital-based study. CONCLUSION: In countries with limited resources, participants with positive FIT results and high-risk scores by APCS should be given priority for colonoscopy because this group is most likely to have advanced neoplasia. However, this strategy needs to be confirmed for its cost-effectiveness in a large, population-based study. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: TCTR20140228001.).

The prevalence and treatment outcomes of Helicobacter pylori infection in a tertiary hospital in Thailand, 2018-2021.

Background and Aim: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection remains a significant global public health problem. This study aimed to study the prevalence of HP infection and treatment outcomes in Thailand. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of the urea breath test (UBT) performed at the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between 2018 and 2021. The prevalence of HP infection was evaluated in dyspeptic patients undergoing UBT screening. In patients with known HP infection, the treatment regimen and the success rate in each patient were recorded. Results: One-thousand nine-hundred and two patients were included in this study. The prevalence of HP infection in dyspeptic patients was 20.77% (UBT was positive in 65 out of 313 patients). Of the 1589 patients who received the first treatment regimen, 1352 (85.08%) had a negative UBT result. Patients who failed in each treatment regimen were treated with subsequent regimens. The overall success rates for the second, third, and fourth regimens were 69.87% (109 of 156 patients), 53.85% (14 of 26 patients), and 50% (3 of 6 patients), respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis found that using lansoprazole was associated with failure of treatment with OR = 2.11 (95% CI: 1.14-3.92, P = 0.018). Conclusion: Current primary HP treatment regimens have an eradication rate of >80%. Even though the previous regimens failed, without available antibiotic sensitivity results, the subsequent regimens were successful by at least 50%. In cases of multiple-treatment failure and where antibiotic sensitivity tests were unavailable, continuing to change regimens could provide satisfactory results.

Real-world data of Helicobacter pylori prevalence, eradication regimens, and antibiotic resistance in Thailand, 2013-2018.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Helicobacter pylori is a class I carcinogen. Nowadays, the problem of antibiotic resistance is increasing worldwide. The latest prevalence rates of infection and resistant status in Thailand vary or are out of date. Our aims are to identify the current prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns in Thailand and to suggest regimens for treatment-naive and -resistant patients. METHODS: This descriptive retrospective study was conducted, using a urea breath test, on patients in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between 2013 and 2017. They were categorized into the diagnostic group and posttreatment group. Specimens from some patients were cultured to identify the antibiotic-resistant pattern. RESULTS: There were 1894 patients included in our study. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in dyspeptic patients was 28.4%. Of 1258 patients, 1165 (92.61%) responded to initial treatment. The 95 patients who failed to respond could respond to second-line treatment of longer period, at higher doses, or using other antibiotics (success rate 68.42%). There were 21.43, 14.29, and 10.71% of patients resistant to ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and clarithromycin, respectively. However, no patients resistant to amoxicillin, tetracycline, and levofloxacin were found. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in Thailand has increased slightly. Initial regimens (triple therapy or sequential therapy or quadruple therapy) can be effective for the eradication of H. pylori infection, with a success rate of > 90%. For patients who failed to respond to initial triple therapy, using a longer duration of triple therapy or changing to quadruple therapy could be a good alternative. The resistance rates of amoxicillin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, and tetracycline are declining, but those of clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin are increasing.

Extremely High Prevalence of Metronidazole-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains in Mountain People (Karen and Hmong) in Thailand.

This study aimed to survey the prevalence, patterns of antibiotic resistance, and clinical factors associated with antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori among the Karen and Hmong mountain people of Thailand. We recruited dyspeptic patients in the Maesod district, Tak Province, Thailand. All subjects underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and three antral gastric biopsies were obtained for rapid urease tests and culture. An epsilometer was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of amoxicillin (AMX), clarithromycin (CLR), metronidazole (MNZ), levofloxacin (LVX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and tetracycline (TET). A total of 291 subjects were enrolled; 149 (51.2%) were infected with H. pylori. Helicobacter pylori infection was present in 47.1% of Thai, 51.7% of Karen, and 58.7% of Hmong subjects. Antibiotic resistance was present in 75.8% including AMX (0.8%), TET (0%), CLR (5.6%), MNZ (71.8%), CIP (19.4%), LVX (19.4%), and multidrug resistance in 21.8%. Karen subjects had the highest prevalence of MNZ resistance (84.6%), and Hmong subjects had the highest prevalence of fluoroquinolone (27.3%) and multidrug (34.1%) resistance. MNZ plus fluoroquinolone (14.5%) was the most common multidrug resistance. There was no association between clinical factors and antibiotic resistance. MNZ resistance was prevalent, whereas fluoroquinolone- and multidrug-resistant H. pylori infections are important problems in mountain people of Thailand.

Seven-Day Bismuth-based Quadruple Therapy as an Initial Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a High Metronidazole Resistant Area.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metronidazole-resistant H. pylori is almost 50% in Thailand which severely limits the use of this drug for eradication therapy. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of 7-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy including metronidazole as an initial treatment for H. pylori infection in a high metronidazole resistance area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed at Thammasat University Hospital and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital during January 2009 to October 2010. Patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) with active H. pylori infection were assigned to receive seven days of quadruple therapy (pantoprazole 40 mg bid, bismuth subsalicylate 1,048 mg bid, amoxicillin 1 gm bid and metronidazole 400 mg tid). H. pylori infection was defined as positive H. pylori culture or two positive tests (rapid urease test and histology). Antibiotic susceptibility test for metronidazole by Epsilometer test (E-test) was performed in all positive cultures. At least four weeks after treatment, 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) was performed to confirm H. pylori eradication. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients were enrolled in this study, 50 males and 64 females with a mean age of 49.8 years. All 114 patients had a diagnosis of NUD. Overall eradication as confirmed by negative 13C-UBT was achieved in 94 out of 114 patients (82.5%). 44 patients had positive cultures and success for E-test. In vitro metronidazole resistance was observed in 22/44 (50%) patients. Eradication rate in patients with metronidazole resistant strains was 16/22 (72.7%) and 20/22 (90.1%) with metronidazole sensitive strains (72.7% vs 90.1%, p-value=0.12; OR=3.75 [95%CI=0.6-31.5]). Minor adverse reactions included nausea, bitter taste, diarrhea and black stools but none of the patients dropped out from the study. CONCLUSIONS: Initial treatment with 7-day bismuth-based quadruple therapy including metronidazole, amoxycillin and pantoprazole is highly effective and well tolerated for metronidazole-sensitive H. pylori infections. However, the efficacy markedly decline with metronidazole resistance. Longer duration of this regimen might be required to improve the eradication rate and larger multi-center studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.