Iyad Albustami is Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology. He has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals.
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection is the most common cause of peptic ulcer disease and it can be associated with many complications including some malignancies. The treatment of this bacteria that colonizes the mucous layer of the gastric epithelium in more than half of the world’s population remains a challenge.
The guided treatments for H.pylori nowadays rely on a mixture of antibiotics with anti-acid-secretory agents in the forms of triple, quadruple or other eradication regimens. Some clinicians use clavulanic acid (CA) by conceptual mistake (habit, assumption of similar resistance mechanisms between H.pylori and streptococcus, or prescribing amoxicillin + clauvanate as an alternative to amoxicillin) and some others suppose that it may be effective in combination with other antibiotics or as addition to some regimens used for H.pylori eradication.
The in vivo and in vitro effects of CA on a variety of bacteria including H.pylori, the human body physiological changes in response to CA treatment, CA as a neurotransmitter modulating agent, and the clinical evidence of its effectiveness against H.pylori infection were reviewed comprehensively to assess whether CA has a potential benefit as an additive to the guided eradication regimens for H.pylori infection. Concomitantly, this may pave the way for new avenues in the management of peptic ulcer disease and H.pylori infection. A summary of the studies conducted at our institute regarding peptic ulcer disease will be presented as well.