Virulence Markers, Genotypic versus Phenotypic Resistance and New Treatment Strategies in Helicobacter pylori Infection

Abstract

This chapter aims at studying the microbial virulence determinants and markers of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), the molecular diagnostic of Hp, the growing antibiotic resistance with the related problem of heteroresistance, the genotypic resistance to antimicrobials compared with the phenotypic methods and the new treatment strategies for Hp eradication also evaluating new antimicrobial agents (furazolidone, vonoprazan). The virulence markers cover an important area in Hp pathology due to the correlation between these and the different diseases. The Hp molecuar diagnosis is fast, accurate and reliable over the traditional methods that are expensive and time- consuming. Therapy regimens used over the past decade are declining in efficacy being the Hp treatment bedevilled by drug-resistant strains. New treatment strategies are under study worldwide. The determination of the genetic resistance to antibiotics is very useful when used directly on gastric biopsies for prediction of antibiotics ineffectiveness or for addressing changes in previous treatments.