Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance among children in the world health organization regions between 2000 and 2023: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Salahi-Niri, Aryan; Nabavi-Rad, Ali; Monaghan, Tanya Marie; Rokkas, Theodore; Doulberis, Michael; Sadeghi, Amir; Zali, Mohammad Reza; Yamaoka, Yoshio; Tacconelli, Evelina; Yadegar, Abbas

Abstract

Background
Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer. The infection is typically acquired in childhood and persists throughout life. The major impediment to successful therapy is antibiotic resistance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to comprehensively assess the global prevalence of antibiotic resistance in pediatric H. pylori infection.

Methods
We performed a systematic search of publication databases that assessed H. pylori resistance rates to clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline in children. The WHO region classification was used to group pooled primary and secondary resistance estimates along with 95% confidence interval (CI). H. pylori antibiotic resistance rates were retrieved and combined with odds ratios (95% CI) to investigate the global prevalence and temporal trends. Subgroup analysis of the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was conducted by country, age groups, and susceptibility testing methods.

Results
Among 1417 records obtained initially, 152 studies were selected for eligibility assessment after applying exclusion criteria in multiple steps. Ultimately, 63 studies involving 15,953 individuals were included comprising data from 28 countries in 5 WHO regions. The primary resistance rates were metronidazole 35.3% (5482/15,529, 95% CI: 28.7–42.6), clarithromycin 32.6% (5071/15,555, 95% CI: 27.7–37.9), tetracycline 2.1% (148/7033, 95% CI: 1.3–3.6), levofloxacin 13.2% (1091/8271, 95% CI: 9.3–18.4), and amoxicillin 4.8% (495/10305, 95% CI: 2.5–8.8). Raising antibiotic resistance was detected in most WHO regions.

Conclusions
The escalating trend of H. pylori antibiotic resistance in children warrants urgent attention globally. National and regional surveillance networks are required for antibiotic stewardship in children infected with H. pylori.

Citation

Salahi-Niri, A., Nabavi-Rad, A., Monaghan, T. M., Rokkas, T., Doulberis, M., Sadeghi, A., Zali, M. R., Yamaoka, Y., Tacconelli, E., & Yadegar, A. (in press). Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori antibiotic resistance among children in the world health organization regions between 2000 and 2023: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Medicine, 22(1), Article 598. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03816-y

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 11, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Dec 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: Dec 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 7, 2025
• Journal: BMC Medicine
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 598
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-024-03816-y
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/43362535
• Publisher URL: https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-024-03816-y
• Additional Information: Received: 6 July 2024; Accepted: 11 December 2024; First Online: 23 December 2024