ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Proton pump inhibitor-based therapy including two antibiotics is the treatment of choice for Helicobacter pylori infection. Oral antibiotic treatment can lead to intestinal overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Aim:To investigate the intestinal microflora before and at different times after H. pylori treatment with omeprazole, clarithromycin and metronidazole.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Methods:Bacterial growth in faecal samples from 51 patients infected with H. pylori was determined qualitatively and quantitatively. During the same period of time, stool samples from 27 H. pylori-negative controls were taken and investigated at the same intervals.〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉Results:The microflora of H. pylori-infected patients was different from that in H. pylori negative controls. It was characterized by a high concentration of lactobacilli, mainly Lactobacillus acidophilus. Immediately after therapy there was an increased colonization with yeasts, while the growth of lactobacilli and other species was inhibited. Clostridium difficile was cultured from three cases, but without clinical manifestations of pseudomembranous colitis. After 4 weeks of therapy, the microflora returned to normal and was not different from that of the H. pylori-negative control group.〈section xml:id="abs1-5"〉〈title type="main"〉Conclusions:In H. pylori-positive patients the intestinal flora is characterized by an increase in growth of acid-tolerant L. acidophilus. Eradication therapy exerts only a short-term influence on intestinal flora, whereas in the long term, the intestinal microflora is restored to a pattern similar to that of the control group.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2001.01033.x
