Prevalence of Clarithromycin-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains in Zambia: A Sub-Saharan African Country

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most important infections globally, affecting more than 50% of the human population. Clarithromycin (CLA)-containing regimens are recommended for empirical eradication of H. pylori in populations with less than 15% resistance. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CLA resistance in samples collected from Zambian patients to determine if CLA is suitable for first-line H. pylori empirical treatment. Methodology: We used archival biopsy samples collected from dyspeptic patients undergoing endoscopy. The samples had been snap-frozen immediately after collection and stored at −80°C. We performed multiplex real-time PCR using Bosphore Helicobacter pylori Genotyping Kits v1, Istanbul, Turkey, to determine the presence of wild-type H. pylori and three mutations, A2142G, A2142C, and A2143G, of domain V in 23s rRNA gene. Results: We tested 259 gastric biopsy samples from patients with dyspepsia, of which 136 (53%) were from females. The median age was 48 years (IQR 40–61 years). Endoscopically, most of the patients, 164 (63%), had a normal gastric mucosa. CLA resistance was found in 48 (28%) samples, with A2142G mutation in 23 (13%), A2143G mutation in 32 (18%), and double mutations A2142C and A2143G in 6 (3%). Conclusions: The presence of significant levels of CLA resistance in Zambia suggests that it should not be used as first-line empirical treatment for H. pylori infection. However, with a limitation of suitable alternatives, there is an urgent need to formulate new treatment approaches.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Prevalence of Clarithromycin-Resistant Helicobacter pylori Strains in Zambia: A Sub-Saharan African Country ; volume:42 ; number:2 ; year:2024 ; pages:154-160 ; extent:7 ; Digestive diseases ; 42, Heft 2 (2024), 154-160 (gesamt 7)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Kebotsamang, Tshegofatso ; Munkombwe, Derick ; Bwalya, Lalusha ; Kelly, Paul ; Kayamba, Violet

Further information

• DOI: 10.1159/000535454
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2024041100530485414069
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:55 AM CEST