Helicobacter

• Gram-negative spiral rods, difficult to isolate from clinical samples as slow growing.
• Breaks down urea using the enzyme urease.
• Culture is now rarely required, mainly done on biopsies to test for antibiotic sensitivity and follow up as diagnosis is usually confirmed by the urea breath test or serological evidence of infection.

Main clinical infections:      

• Chronic peptic ulcer, dyspepsia (refractory to conventional treatment), gastric MALT.

Usually sensitive to:

• 1st Line Triple therapy: 

  • Lansoprazole 30mg BD for 7 days

  • Amoxicillin 1g  BD for 7 days

  • Clarithromycin 500mg BD for 7 days

   

• If Penicillin allergic- Triple therapy:

  • Lansoprazole 30mg BD for 7 days

  • Metronidazole 400mg  BD for 7 days

  • Clarithromycin 500mg BD for 7 days

     

Usually resistant to:

• Trimethoprim.

Page last edited: 17/12/2007

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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