Strains of Helicobacter pylori bacteria across Europe have doubled their antibiotic resistance rates in just two decades—a troubling development for public health.
Though the name Helicobacter pylori might not ring a bell, this bacterium resides in about 50% of people worldwide. For many, it causes no symptoms, but it infects the gastric mucosa in tens of millions each year, fueling ulcers and stomach cancer.
Physicians typically prescribe antibiotics alongside acid-suppressing medications, which proved effective initially. However, H. pylori has adapted, showing increasing resistance in recent years.
These findings come from a study presented recently at the United European Gastroenterology's annual conference by experts led by Francis Megraud from the University of Bordeaux.
The researchers examined over 1,200 H. pylori samples collected from patients across 18 European countries between 1998 and 2018. Their goal: track resistance trends to three key antibiotics—clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and metronidazole.
In 1998, 9.9% of samples showed resistance. By 2018, that figure exceeded 21%. Italy and Croatia faced the highest rates, with over one-third of strains resistant.
"With antibiotic resistance rising at nearly 1% per year, options for treating H. pylori are dwindling. Without new approaches, we'll see persistent high rates of gastric cancer and peptic ulcers," warns lead researcher Francis Megraud.
Notably, Denmark and Norway reported very low clarithromycin resistance, likely due to longstanding policies restricting unnecessary antibiotic use—particularly in livestock. These nations offer a model for others.
Related Articles:
