Helicobacter pylori of remnant stomach and optimal dose of amoxicillin for eradicating Helicobacter pylori

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The optimal dose of antibiotics for Helicobacter pylori eradication is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate optimal dose of antibiotics (amoxicillin) for eradication of H. pylori in the remnant stomach. METHODOLOGY: Biopsy specimens were obtained from 77 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. H. pylori was subsequently diagnosed by rapid urease test and culture. Gastritis was assessed by scoring. Patients with positive H. pylori were eligible for the eradication study. Amoxicillin 750 mg per day for 2 weeks and omeprazole 20 mg per day for 8 weeks were administered to them. Endoscopic reexamination and 13C-urea breath test were performed 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS: The positive rate of H. pylori was 38.9% in the remnant stomach. Eradication rate was 50.0%. Mean dose of amoxicillin in effective cases was 14.1 +/- 1.5 mg/kg/day. This was significantly higher than that in non-effective cases (12.5 +/- 1.5 mg/kg/day). Remnant gastritis was significantly improved after complete eradication. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori was present in 38.9% of patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The optimal dose of amoxicillin was 15.6 mg/kg/day for 14 days with omeprazole-amoxicillin therapy.