Susceptibility patterns and virulence genotypes of Helicobacter pylori affecting eradication therapy outcomes among Egyptian patients with gastroduodenal diseases.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a significant human pathogen that is responsible for a variety of illnesses, including mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, gastric cancer, peptic ulcers, and gastritis. AIM: To investigate the frequency of H. pylori infection and its resistance patterns among Egyptian patients and to determine the influence of H. pylori virulence genetic determinants on the eradication success of 14-d triple therapy regimen. METHODS: H. pylori infections were investigated in 72 patients with gastroduodenal complications suggestive of H. pylori infection. The cagA and vacA genotypes of cultured strains were studied using polymerase chain reaction. The patients underwent 14 d of triple-therapy treatment. The treatment response was examined using histology and a rapid urease test 6 wk after therapy discontinuation. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat eradication rate was 59.2% (95%CI: 48.2%-70.3%). Rates of H. pylori resistance to clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole were 52.8%, 81.9%, and 100%, respectively. Successful eradication of H. pylori was more significantly associated with vacA s1-positive strains [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.507, 95%CI: 0.175-0.822]. A significant association was found between failed eradication rate and H. pylori strains resistant to clarithromycin (aOR = 0.204, 95%CI: -0.005 to 0.412) and amoxicillin (aOR = 0.223, 95%CI: 0.026-0.537). CONCLUSION: This study's low H. pylori eradication rate following 14-d triple therapy is concerning and worrying. H. pylori pan-resistance to metronidazole followed by the high resistance to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin in this research is challenging and of great concern.

Laparoscopic ultrasound with radiofrequency ablation of hepatic tumors in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is surgical resection. However, only a small percentage of patients are operative candidates due to associated liver cirrhosis. Recent advances in laparoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopy have greatly improved the accuracy in detecting intrahepatic tumor nodules, many of which were missed by preoperative imaging modality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was for an evaluation of the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) guided with laparoscopic ultrasound in detecting and treatment of liver tumors in patient with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with liver tumors (58 HCC, 9 metastatic adencarcinoma, 2 neoendocrine metastasis, 3 other metastasis) were submitted to laparoscopic RFA under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance. Forty-four patients (61.1%) were classified Child A and 28 patients (38.9%) Child B. Patients with large tumor (>6 cm), portal vein thrombosis, or Child C class were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Laparoscopic RFA was completed in all patients without any conversion rate. Laparoscopic ultrasound identified 19 new malignant lesions (18.4%), in comparison with the result of preoperative imaging. A total of 103 hepatic focal lesions were treated by RFA (45 patients had 1 lesion, 23 patients had 2 lesions, and 4 patients had 3 lesions). There was no mortality. Morbidity occurred in 4 patients (5.5%): 2 patients had liver abscesses, 1 patient had pleural effusion, and 1 patient had postoperative bleeding necessitating blood transfusion and surgery. After a mean follow-up of 14.3 +/- 11.6 months, a complete response with 100% necrosis was achieved in 93 of 103 lesions (90.3%). Three lesions (2.9%) showed local recurrences, 5 lesions (4.8%) showed remote recurrences, and 2 lesions (1.9%) showed both local and remote recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic RFA guided with laparoscopic ultrasound is an excellent use of existing technology in the improvement of safety and efficacy of detection and treatment of intrahepatic tumors in patients with liver cirrhosis.