Analysis of culturable microbiota present in the stomach of children with gastric symptoms

Abstract

Despite extensive studies on the gastric microbiota, including Helicobacter pylori and non-H. pylori, the bacterial composition in children remains unknown. In this study, we analyzed the culturable gastric bacteria in stomach biopsies from 346 children aged 1-15 years affected by gastric diseases. H. pylori and non-H. pylori were identified by specific PCR and 16S rDNA sequencing, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibilities of H. pylori and non-H. pylori were tested by the E-test and disk diffusion methods, respectively. Rapid diagnosis was also performed by H. pylori-specific PCR. Twenty-two H. pylori strains were obtained from culture, and 92 biopsies were positive by H. pylori-specific PCR. The positive rate was higher in boys (40.3%) than in girls (23.3%) (P = 0.001). Resistance rates of 22 H. pylori strains were as follows: metronidazole, 86.4%; tetracycline, 22.7%; amoxicillin, 22.7%; levofloxacin, 31.8%; clarithromycin, 36.4%. Ten isolates were multidrug-resistant. Additionally, among 366 non-H. pylori strains, 204 exhibited urease activity. Non-H. pylori resistance rates were as follows: metronidazole, 94.8%; tetracycline, 26.2%; amoxicillin, 42.6%; levofloxacin, 15.3%; clarithromycin, 46.7%. Our results showed that children with gastric disorders harbor stomach bacteria with urease activity or nitrate reductase activity. Further studies will determine the effects of non-H. pylori bacteria in gastric diseases.

Analysis of serum gastrin‐17 and Helicobacter pylori antibody in healthy Chinese population

“…Some previous studies reported differences in the positive rate of H pylori infection between males and females, while some others reported no difference. 23,24 H pylori infection status also changed depending on different regions and populations, such that the difference between males and females also varied.…”

Gastric Microenvironment—A Partnership between Innate Immunity and Gastric Microbiota Tricks Helicobacter pylori

“…In terms of pediatric patients, scarce information is available regarding the composition of gastric flora. A recent study performed on 346 children with symptoms suggesting H. pylori infection that aimed to assessed both H. pylori and non- H. pylori strains, pointed out 114 H. pylori positive cases and identified 366 non- H. pylori genera from 189 gastric biopsy specimens, 247 Gram-positive and 119 Gram-negative [ 42 ]. Moreover, the authors pointed out the following resistance rates for H. pylori strains: 86.4% for metronidazole, 36.4% for clarithromycin, 31.8% for levofloxacin, and 22.7% for both tetracycline and amoxicillin, as well as 10 multidrug-resistant strains [ 42 ].…”

“…A recent study performed on 346 children with symptoms suggesting H. pylori infection that aimed to assessed both H. pylori and non- H. pylori strains, pointed out 114 H. pylori positive cases and identified 366 non- H. pylori genera from 189 gastric biopsy specimens, 247 Gram-positive and 119 Gram-negative [ 42 ]. Moreover, the authors pointed out the following resistance rates for H. pylori strains: 86.4% for metronidazole, 36.4% for clarithromycin, 31.8% for levofloxacin, and 22.7% for both tetracycline and amoxicillin, as well as 10 multidrug-resistant strains [ 42 ]. Non- H. pylori bacteria identified in this pediatric cohort presented generally higher resistance rates to the same antibiotics: 94.8% for metronidazole, 46.7% for clarithromycin, 42.6% for amoxicillin, 26.2% in case of tetracycline and 15.3% for levofloxacin.…”

Review: Helicobacter pylori in pediatrics

“…This number is rarely described in pediatric trials, also because of the high rate of antibiotic resistance of H pylori . Furthermore, high multiple resistance and secondary resistance rates significantly affect H pylori eradication . The prevalence of H pylori resistant to antibiotics differs among countries (Table ) and is usually explained by the different exposure to the corresponding antibiotics in each population .…”

“…The prevalence of H pylori resistant to antibiotics differs among countries (Table ) and is usually explained by the different exposure to the corresponding antibiotics in each population . First‐line treatment should, therefore, be tailored according to the strain's susceptibility or, if tests are not available, at least according to the regional antibiotic resistance rates of H pylori strains …”