Helicobacter pylori resistance to antibiotics before and after treatment: Incidence of eradication failure.

BACKGROUND: Increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance especially to clarithromycin and metronidazole has been observed in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). AIM: To characterize the antimicrobial resistance pattern of H. pylori before and after treatment in a cohort of patients accumulated over a period of 15 years after an unsuccessful eradication treatment had been given comparing sensitivity data from patients with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection. A specific objective was to look for resistance to levofloxacin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total of 50 patients newly diagnosed for H. pylori infection treated with omeprazole and amoxicillin/clarithromycin and 42 H pylori treatment-resistant patients treated with omeprazole and amoxicillin/levofloxacin were enrolled in this study. Cultures including antibiotic sensitivity testing were conducted according to standard laboratory routines and thus also in keeping with a European study protocol using E-test gradient strips or disc diffusion methods. RESULTS: Clarithromycin resistance was more frequently observed in the H. pylori resistant group than in newly diagnosed H. pylori group (39% versus 11%). Regarding metronidazole the distribution was 70% versus 38%, and 8% versus 12% were resistant to tetracycline. No resistance was observed for amoxicillin. After re-treatment of patients belonging to the H. pylori treatment-resistant group, just two patient strains were recovered of which one harbored metronidazole resistance. In the group of newly diagnosed H. pylori, seven patients were culture positive by control after treatment. Two and three patient strains showing resistance to clarithromycin and metronidazole, respectively. None of the strains in our material was classified as resistant to amoxicillin and levofloxacin. Whereas 12% was resistant to tetracycline in the newly diagnosed before treatment. CONCLUSION: Clarithromycin resistance was more frequent in the H. pylori treatment-resistant group than strains from patients with newly diagnosed H. pylori infection. No resistance was observed to amoxicillin and levofloxacin. In such cases Therefore levofloxacin may be used provided in vitro sensitivity testing confirms applicability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05019586.

Clinical and radiologic outcome of off-pump coronary surgery at 12 months follow-up: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: After more than a decade of experience with off-pump coronary bypass surgery, still no consensus exists concerning its benefit on clinical outcome compared to the on-pump technique. In this 12-month follow-up, we compare off-pump and on-pump surgery on the appearance of graft patency, myocardial function, and clinical outcome. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients were randomized to off-pump or on-pump coronary surgery. Angiography was performed intraoperatively, at 3 and 12 months. Global myocardial function was estimated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively, as well as functional class and stress testing. RESULTS: After 12 months internal mammary artery patency was 94% in the off-pump group and 96% in the on-pump group. Vein graft patency was 80% and 87%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between the two groups existed. There were no differences in exercise capacity improvement and attenuation of symptoms between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: At 12-months follow-up, off-pump coronary bypass surgery provided the same angiographic graft patency as the on-pump technique. Improvement in functional class and exercise capacity was the same in both groups.

Clinical and Angiographic Outcome of Coronary Surgery with and without Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

Abstract Background: Off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery has emerged as an alternative technique to traditional onpump surgery. The aim of this randomized study was to compare perioperative morbidity and mortality and intraoperative and short-term graft patency in off-pump and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: One hundred twenty patients were randomized for coronary revascularization with or without cardiopulmonary bypass. In all patients grafts and anastomoses were monitored with transit time Doppler ultrasonography and angiography. Angiography was repeated 3 months after the procedure in 115 of the patients. Results: Angiography 3 months postoperatively revealed that internal mammary artery patency was 98% in both groups. Vein graft patency was 83% in the off-pump group and 91% in the on-pump group, a difference that was not statistically significant. One perioperative death was recorded in each group. Two strokes were recorded in the on-pump group, none in the off-pump group. Conclusion: In this prospective, controlled study, perioperative and short-term outcome of off-pump coronary surgery equaled that of on-pump surgery.