Characteristics of Antibiotic Resistance of Helicobacter pylori Among Adult Arab and Jewish Populations in Northern Israel.

AIMS: Following reports from various doctors regarding increased treatment failure in Helicobacter pylori infection among the Arab population, we decided to make a prospective comparison between the resistance rates of H. pylori in the Arab and Jewish populations in northern Israel.

RESULTS: Among the Arab population, higher resistance rates were found for clarithromycin and levofloxacin (LEV), as well as a higher rate of multidrug resistance. Rifampin and LEV were found to have higher resistance rates in the village, whereas LEV had a higher resistance rate among women.

CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori in the Arab population compared with the Jewish population in northern Israel is more resistant to treatment. We assume that these results are caused by overexposure combined with unwise use of antibiotics. A correlation was also found between the type of residence and resistance rates to various antibiotics. Further research is needed to determine the resistance mechanism that may explain these results. Due to the high resistance rate and treatment failure, it is appropriate to consider replacing the standard treatment of H. pylori in these populations.