Molecular Detection of Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori from Gastric Biopsies in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Aims: To determine the genes of resistance to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies in Côte d'Ivoire.

Place and Duration: The study was performed at the department of gastroenterology of Cocody Hospital and University Center, at the laboratory of Bacteriology-Virology and at the molecular biology platform of Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire from August 2015 to December 2016.

Methodology: The rapid urease test was performed in endoscopy room and 98 positive biopsies were retained for the study. Gastric biopsies were collected and transported within a maximum of 4 hours. DNA extraction was followed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification.

Results: The rdxA / frxA, 23S rRNA and pbp1 genes conferring resistance to metronidazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin respectively were identified in 12.2% (12/98), 26.5% (26/98) and 58.2% (57/98). Cross-resistance genotypes to these three antibiotics were detected in 8.2% (8/98) of the samples.

Conclusion: These results show a high level of resistance of Helicobacter pylori to amoxicillin and presence of cross-resistance to the three commonly used antibiotics. These results support the need for an evaluation of Helicobacter pylori current therapeutic protocol in Côte d'Ivoire.