Alternative Methods in Eradicating Helicobacter Pylori Infection

Yuk-Kei      Yee

Abstract

Resistance is also an increasing problem for antibiotic based therapy of Helicobacter Pylori infection. A paradigm shift in the treatment of infectious disease may be useful to prevent the further emergence of antibiotic resistance. Some daily-consumed food and beverages, including tea, lactobacillus, alcohol and garlic, have anti-helicobacter activities in-vitro. In epidemiological studies consumption of tea was associated with decreased risk of Helicobacter Pylori infection. Supplementation of Lactobacillus improved the tolerance of antibiotic based Helicobacter eradication therapy. However, few controlled clinical trials have been published and most are methodologically weak. Controlled trial had shown that lactobacillus alone was not effective in eradicating Helicobacter Pylori infection. Otherwise, controlled trial of plant extracts or non-antibiotic based therapy for Helicobacter Pylori infection has not been available yet. Overall, currently available evidences concerning these alternative strategies are still scanty, but promising. Further investigations, especially randomised controlled trials, are needed to investigate the role of these alternative strategies in preventing Helicobacter Pylori infection, and find out how these food or beverages should be used to augment the efficacy of antibiotic based therapies.

Keywords: Non-antibiotic therapies, Helicobacter pylori

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