Genotypic Resistance inHelicobacter pyloriStrains Correlates with Susceptibility Test and Treatment Outcomes after Levofloxacin- and Clarithromycin-Based Therapies
ABSTRACTThe accuracy of genotypic resistance to levofloxacin (gyrAmutations) and its agreement with treatment outcomes after levofloxacin-based therapy have not been reported. We aimed to assess the correlation.Helicobacter pyloristrains isolated from patients who received levofloxacin-based and clarithromycin-based triple therapies in a previous randomized trial were analyzed for point mutations ingyrAand 23S rRNA. PCR followed by direct sequencing was used to assess thegyrAand 23S rRNA mutations. An agar dilution test was used to determine the MICs of clarithromycin and levofloxacin. We found that the agreement between genotypic and phenotypic resistance to levofloxacin was best when the MIC breakpoint was >1 μg/ml (kappa coefficient, 0.754). The eradication rates in patients with and withoutgyrAmutations were 41.7% and 82.7%, respectively (P= 0.003). The agreement between genotypic and phenotypic resistance to clarithromycin was best when the MIC breakpoint was >2 μg/ml (kappa, 0.694). The eradication rates in patients with and without 23S rRNA mutations were 7.7% and 93.5%, respectively (P< 0.001). The agreements (kappa coefficient) between therapeutic outcomes after clarithromycin-based triple therapy and genotypic and phenotypic resistance were 0.671 and 0.356, respectively. The agreements (kappa coefficient) between therapeutic outcomes after levofloxacin-based triple therapy and genotypic and phenotypic resistance were 0.244 and 0.190, respectively. In conclusion,gyrAand 23S rRNA mutations inH. pyloristrains appeared to be better markers than phenotypic resistance in the prediction of treatment outcomes. The optimal breakpoints for levofloxacin and clarithromycin resistance appeared to be >1 μg/ml and >2 μg/ml, respectively.