Effect of Probiotics on Eradication of Persistent H.Pylori Infection

Over fifty percent of people worldwide are infected with the gram-negative bacteria Helicobacter pylori. This bacterial infection results in chronic gastritis and is a known risk factor for the development of gastric cancer, the second most lethal disease globally and the fourth most prevalent cancer overall.

The incidence and prevalence rates of H. Pylori in Egypt are relatively high, according to a previous study that covered the Delta region of the country, low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation, and fecal contamination of food or water are all associated with a high H. pylori prevalence.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, antibiotic resistance has been significantly rising in several countries as a result of the multiple preventative and treatment procedures being used to manage bacterial pneumonia that co-exist with the COVID-19 virus. The incidence of bacterial antibiotic resistance varies locally and seems to be changing over time in various regions, and as a result, the rate of H. pylori eradication worldwide is declining.

In about 20% of patients, an initial attempt to eradicate H. pylori fails, leaving them with a persistent infection so, it is crucial to choose medications carefully because H. pylori resistance to previously successful antibiotic treatments is on the rise. Poor nutrition, uncooperative patients, a high bacterial load in the stomach, internalization of germs, gastric acidity, gene polymorphisms, antimicrobial washout, and, most critically, antibiotic resistance are some of the variables that contribute to the failure of H. pylori eradication, severe consequence, and persistent infection.

The initial treatment plan, the usage of different antibiotics, and the existence of drug allergies should all be taken into consideration when choosing antibiotic therapy for patients with persistent H. pylori infection. It is normally advised to avoid using antibiotics included in the initial regimen. Amoxicillin can be taken again, though, as resistance seldom arises.

According to the 2022 Maastricht VI/Florence consensus report for Management of H. pylori infection, a PPI-Amoxicillin high-dose might be an option as rescue therapy, as it overcomes the issue of clarithromycin, metronidazole, or levofloxacin resistance. Fortunately, amoxicillin resistance prevalence as a beta-lactamase antibiotic has remained low and some studies reported 2% resistance in countries.

A Meta-analysis included 4 RCTs administering PPI-Amoxicillin dual therapy had an unacceptable eradication rate of 73%, which is comparable to other recommended therapies. While another recent RCT aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, compliance, and safety of High-Dose Dual Therapy (HDDT) in the management of H. pylori infection as first-line treatment and as rescue therapy, revealed that the effectiveness of HDDT was below 70% in all scenarios (both first-line and rescue treatment) and specifically was 48.4 % per protocol in patients who have been treated with HDDT as rescue treatment for 14 days.

However, further Studies are still needed to identify the effectiveness of this regimen, especially with the high antimicrobial resistance during COVID-19.

Probiotics are frequently thought to help with H. pylori eradication and lessen adverse effects caused by standard treatment. Inhibiting H. pylori colonization and adhesion which is important in determining the outcome of H. pylori-related diseases, decreasing inflammation brought on by H. pylori, modulating the immunological responses of H. pylori, lowering the frequency of side effects, and consequently increasing compliance were a handful possible mechanisms.

Probiotics may affect host immune responses by interacting with epithelial cells and regulating the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines brought on by H. pylori, which may lessen stomach activity and inflammation. The cytokine response first manifests as the production of IL-8, which causes neutrophils and monocytes to migrate to the mucus. As a result, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and INF- cytokines are produced by these activated monocytes and dendritic cells.

By creating organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, carbon dioxide, and other antimicrobial chemicals, probiotics like lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacterium may generally suppress other infections. As an add-on, Some Lactobacillus species generate bacteriocin-related antibacterial substances that may have antibacterial properties. In comparison to other strains, certain bacteriocins have more potent antibacterial action against H. pylori. Bacteriocin-like compound with an antagonistic effect against H. pylori was generated by Enterococcus faecium TM39 which inhibited the development of H. pylori.

Previous studies have examined the efficacy and safety of some types of probiotics in helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. But there is no study yet that has examined the efficacy and safety of Lactobacillus, Enterococcus- and Bifidobacterium-containing Probiotic combination on the eradication rate in persistent H. Pylori infection.