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[HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION ERRADICATION IN DISPEPTIC PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT PEPTIC ULCER]

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is very prevalent worldwide, and has been associated with the presence of duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer and chronic active gastritis. It is also speculated that HP may have a role in gastric cancer development. Triple drug schemes have been shown to be the most effective approach to erradicate HP infection. Nevetheless, high rates of resistance against some antibiotics as well as high costs affect the effectiveness of these therapies. The goal of the present study is to assess the effectiveness of the combination of tetracycline, furazolidone and bismuth in erradicating HP, as well as the changes in the histology.METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of HP infection, found in their antral gastric biopsies (hematoxylin and eosin staining (H-E)), were included. They received the following scheme for 10 days: tetracycline 500 mg qid., furazolidone 100 mg qid., and colloidal bismuth subcitrate 120 mg qid. Patients were instructed to come back for follow-up 6 to 8 weeks after starting the therapy. At that time a control upper endoscopy was performed and 3 antral biopsies were taken. Biopsies were stained with H-E and read by experienced pathologists. In both, the biopsy before treatment and the control biopsy, the following parameters were looked for: presence and density of HP; presence, depth and grade of chronic gastritis (lymphoplasmocytic infiltrate); presence and grade of inflammatory activity (polymorphonuclear inflitrate); presence of glandular atrophy; presence, grade (partial or total) and extent (focal or multifocal) of mucinous damage (epithelial damage); presence of intestinal metaplasia; and presence of lymphoid follicles.RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (30 men and 29 women) completed per protocol. Mean age was 43 +/- 18 (range: 14-73). HP erradication was achieved in 54 patients (91.5%). Control biopsies showed improvement in the following parameters: presence and density of HP (p<0.001); presence, depth and grade of chronic gastritis (p<0.001); presence and grade of inflammatory activity (p<0.001); presence, grade and extent of mucinous damage (p<0.001); and presence of lymphoid follicles (p<0.001). Neither the presence of glandular atrophy nor the presence of intestinal metaplasia showed any significant change. Patients who did not erradicate HP showed no significant difference in any of the parameters.CONCLUSIONS: The triple drug scheme including tetracycline, furazolidone and bismuth is effective in HP erradication. Erradication of HP is followed by an improvement in the following histologic parameters: presence, depth and grade of chronic gastritis (LMN infiltrate); presence and grade of inflammatory activity (PMN infiltrate); presence, grade and extent of mucinous damage; and presence of lymphoid follicles. This scheme is a cost-effective alternative for the therapy of HP infection in low income populations with a high prevalence of infection with this bacteria.