Prospective, study comparing the accuracy of two different stool antigen tests (Premier Platinum HpSA and novel ImmunoCard STAT! rapid test) for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: At present only monoclonal EIA (enzyme-immunoassay) stool antigen-tests have obtained optimal accuracy in the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of two stool antigen-tests, the validated Premier Platinum HpSA PLUS (EIA test) and the newly available ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA HD (rapid test) for the initial diagnosis and the confirmation of eradication of H. pylori infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with indication of H. pylori diagnosis, or confirmation after treatment were included. Data were coded to protect personal data and ensure blindness between tests. Accuracy was considered as coincident diagnosis with the gold standard (13C-urea breath test, UBT). The EIA was used as a bench standard. All stool tests were performed in duplicate. RESULTS: 264 patients completed the protocol (100 naïve, 164 post-eradication). Average age was 52 years, 61% women, 11% ulcer. Positive diagnoses by UBT were 41% for naïve and 17% for post-eradication. Overall ImmunoCard and EIA accuracies were respectively 91% (95%C.I.=88-94%) and 89% (86-93%), sensitivities 72% (67-78%) and 72% (67-78%), and specificities 98% (96-100%), and 95% (92-97%). Concordance between ImmunoCard and EIA was 95% (93-98%). DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that the newly available ImmunoCard rapid stool antigen-test achieves 90% accuracy, with high specificity but suboptimal sensitivity. The ImmunoCard attained equivalent accuracies as the EIA bench standard, with 95% concordance.

Probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici for Helicobacter pylori therapy: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a probiotic supplementation for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy. DESIGN: Consecutive adult naive patients with a diagnosis of H. pylori infection who were prescribed eradication therapy according to clinical practice (10-day triple or nonbismuth quadruple concomitant therapy) randomly received probiotics (1 × 109 colony-forming units each strain, Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici) or matching placebo. Side effects at the end of the treatment, measured through a modified De Boer Scale, were the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were compliance with therapy and eradication rates. RESULTS: A total of 209 patients (33% triple therapy, 66% non-bismuth quadruple therapy) were included [placebo (n = 106) or probiotic (n = 103)]. No differences were observed regarding side effects at the end of the treatment between groups (ß -0.023, P 0.738). Female gender (P < 0.001) and quadruple therapy (P 0.007) were independent predictors of side effects. No differences in compliance were observed, regardless of the study group or eradication therapy. Eradication rates were similar between groups [placebo 95% (95% confidence interval (CI), 89% to 98%) vs probiotic 97% (95% CI, 92% to 99%), P 0.721]. There were no relevant differences in cure rates (>90% in all cases) between triple and quadruple concomitant therapy. CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation containing Lactobacillus Plantarum and Pediococcus acidilactici to H. pylori treatment neither decreased side effects nor improved compliance with therapy or eradication rates.

Efficacy and safety of rifaximin associated with standard triple therapy (omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin) for H. pylori eradication: A phase IV pilot clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A progressive decrease in Helicobacter pylori eradication rates has been described over the years, driving the need for new antibiotic treatments. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the addition of rifaximin (Spiraxin®) to standard triple therapy (omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin) for the eradication of H. pylori. METHODS: Independent prospective clinical trial (EUDRACT no.: 2013-001080-23). Forty consecutive adult patients were included with H. pylori infection, dyspeptic symptoms and naive to eradication treatment. A full blood test was performed in the first five patients enrolled to evaluate the safety of the treatment. H. pylori eradication was confirmed with the 13C-urea breath test at least four weeks after the end of treatment with rifaximin 400mg/8h, clarithromycin 500mg/12h, amoxicillin 1g/12h and omeprazole 20mg/12h for 10 days. RESULTS: Forty patients were consecutively enrolled, 53% woman, mean age 44 years. Indication for eradication: 60% non-investigated dyspepsia, 38% functional dyspepsia and 2% gastric ulcer. Four patients did not attend the eradication confirmatory breath test. The eradication rate was 61% (95% CI: 45-77%) for the protocol and 55% (40-70%) for intention-to-treat. About 76% of the patients experienced adverse events (35% diarrhea, 14% nausea and 24% metallic taste), none of which was serious. The blood tests did not show significant alterations. CONCLUSION: Acceptable H. pylori eradication rates are not achieved with rifaximin associated with standard triple therapy for 10 days.

[European Registry on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection (Hp-EuReg protocol): The first results of Russian centers].

AIM: To assess the clinical practice of diagnosis and treatment in patients with Helicobacter pylori infection and to compare this practice with the international guidelines in the European Registry on the management of Helicobacter pylori infection, Hp-EuReg protocol), a multicenter prospective observational study initiated by the European Helicobacter and Microbiota Study Group. MATERIALs AND METHODS: The data of 813 patients infected with H. pylori and entered in the Hp-EuReg register by the Russian centers in 2013-2015 were analyzed. RESULTS: The most common methods for the primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection are histology (40.3%), rapid urease test (35.7%), and serology (17.2%). The duration of H. pylori eradication therapy was 7, 10, and 14 days in 18.0, 49.3, and 25.1%, respectively. To monitor the effectiveness of treatment, the investigators used a histological examination (34%), a urea breath test (27.3%), H. pylori stool antigen (22.8%), and a rapid urease test (16.3%). A serological test was carried out in 2.5% of the cases. No monitoring was done in 13.5% of the patients. The average eradication efficiency was 82.6%. If the therapy was ineffective, 80% of physicians did not intend to prescribe a new cycle of treatment. CONCLUSION: Significant differences were found between clinical practice and the current guidelines.