Research

Laboratory diagnosis and susceptibility profile of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Philippines

Raul V Destura^{* 1,2} , Eternity D Labio^{* 3} , Leah J Barrett^{* 1} , Cirle S Alcantara^{* 1,2,4} , Venancio I Gloria^{* 3} , Ma Lourdes O Daez^{* 3} and Richard L Guerrant^{* 1}

¹Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Disease and International Health, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

²Section of Infectious Diseases, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines

³Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines

⁴National Institute of Health-University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials 2004, 3:25doi:10.1186/1476-0711-3-25

Published:	16 November 2004

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori diagnosis and susceptibility profile directs the applicability of recommended treatment regimens in our setting. To our knowledge, there is no published data on the culture and local susceptibility pattern of Helicobacter pylori in the Philippines.

Methods

52 dyspeptic adult patients undergoing endoscopy from the Outpatient Gastroenterology clinic of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital underwent multiple gastric biopsy and specimens were submitted for gram stain, culture, antimicrobial sensitivity testing, rapid urease test and histology. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by Epsilometer testing (Etest) method against metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline.

Results

Sixty percent (60%) of the study population was positive for H. pylori infection (mean age of 44 years ± 13), 70% were males. H. pylori culture showed a sensitivity of 45% (95% CI [29.5–62.1]), specificity of 98% (95%CI [81.5–100%]), positive likelihood ratio of 19.93 (95% CI [1.254–317.04]) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.56 (95% CI [0.406–0.772]). All H. pylori strains isolated were sensitive to metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin and tetracycline.

Conclusion

Knowledge of the antibiotic susceptibility patterns in our setting allows us to be more cautious in the choice of first-line agents. Information on antibiotic susceptibility profile plays an important role in empiric antibiotic treatment and management of refractive cases.