Primary Resistance Pattern of Helicobacter pylori to Antibiotics in Adult Population: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a spiral-shaped gram-negative bacteria associated with peptic ulcer, gastritis and gastric cancer. The global burden and occurrence of H. pylori infection remains prevalent and worldwide. Despite this, the trend of the bacterial resistance is not recently studied which can help in the adoption of global, regional and local prevention strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to systematically review the existing published literature that presents the estimate of H. pylori antibiotic resistance. METHODS: A protocol was primarily registered in PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews and has given a registration number CRD42017068710. It was registered after checking whether there was similar study being conducted. A database search (PubMed/Medline and Google scholar) was used to collect relevant articles. A standardized form was prepared for the extraction of relevant data from studies which fulfilled the eligibility criteria. A National Institute for Health research (NIH)-based quality assessment tool was utilized to assess the quality of studies included in the study. RESULTS: Our searching process has retrieved a total of 288 publications which later resulted in 38 articles for full-text review. Among the 38 articles reviewed in full text, 14 studies were included which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. H.pylori-pooled overall prevalence rate of antibiotic resistance was found to be 4.55% (95% confidence interval (CI): 3.96–5.22%) to amoxicillin, 27.22% (95% CI: 25.89–28.58%) to clarithromycin, 39.66% (95% CI: 38.20–41.15%) to metronidazole, and 22.48% (95% CI: 21.24–23.76%) to levofloxacin. CONCLUSION: The primary antibiotic resistance pattern of H. pylori is increasing worldwide. Thus, implementation of local drug susceptibility surveillance program, rational prescribing and use of antibiotics are necessary.