Hybrid vs sequential therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori in Taiwan: a prospective randomized trial

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of sequential vs hybrid therapy in patients with Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection.METHODS: From March 2013 to May 2014,one hundred and seventy-five H. pylori infected patients who had not been treated for H. pylori before wererandomized to receive either sequential therapy(rabeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 1 g twice daily for 5 d,followed by rabeprazole 20 mg,clarithromycin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 5 d) or hybrid therapy(rabeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 1 g for 7 d,followed by rabeprazole 20 mg,amoxicillin 1 g,clarithromycin 500 mg and metronidazole 500 mg twice daily for 7 d). H. pylori status was confirmed by positive results of both rapid urease test and histology examination or a positive result of culture. Eradication efficacy was assessed by follow-up endoscopy with rapid urease test and histological examination 8 wk after the end of anti-H. pylori therapy,or 13C-urea breath test at least 4 wk after completion of treatment. The primary outcome was H. pylori eradication by intension-to-treat(ITT) and per-protocol(PP) analyses.RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-seven patients(83 patients in the sequential group and 84 patients in the hybrid group) completed the study. The compliance rates were 97.6% and 97.7% for the two groups,respectively. The eradication rate was 78.2% for the sequential group and 92% for the hybrid group by ITT analysis(P = 0.01). The eradication rate was 81.9% for the sequential group and 96.4% for the hybrid group by PP analysis(P = 0.01). Univariate analysis for the clinical and bacterial factors did not identify any risk factors associated with treatment failure. Severe adverse events were observed in 2.3% of patients in the sequential group and 2.4% of those in the hybrid group.CONCLUSION: Due to a grade A(> 95%) success rate for H. pylori eradication by PP analysis,similar compliance and adverse events,hybrid therapy seems to be an appropriate eradication regimen in Taiwan.

Research and development of Cordyceps in Taiwan

Cordyceps is treasured entomopathogenic fungi that have been used as antitumor,immunomodulating,antioxidant,and pro-sexual agent.Cordyceps,also called DongChongXiaCao in Chinese,Yartsa Gunbu(Tibetan),means winter worm-summer grass.Natural Cordyceps sinensis with parasitic hosts is difficult to be collected and the recent findings on its potential pharmacological functions,resulted in skyrocketing prices.Therefore,finding a mass-production method or an alternative for C.sinensis products is a top-priority task.In this review,we describe current status of Cordyceps research and its recent developments in Taiwan.The content and pharmacological activities of four major industrial species of Cordyceps(C.sinensis,Cordyceps militaris,Cordyceps cicadae and Cordyceps sobolifera)used in Taiwan,were reviewed.Moreover,we highlighted the effect of using different methods of fermentation and production on the morphology and chemical content of Cordyceps sp.Finally,we summarized the bottle-necks and challenges facing Cordyceps research as well as we proposed future road map for Cordyceps industry in Taiwan.

Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: Current options and developments

Accurate diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) infection is a crucial part in the effective management of many gastroduodenal diseases. Several invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests are available for the detection of H. pylori and each test has its usefulness and limitations in different clinical situations. Although none can be considered as a single gold standard in clinical practice,several techniques have been developed to give the more reliable results. Invasive tests are performed via endoscopic biopsy specimens and these tests include histology,culture,rapid urease test as well as molecular methods. Developments of endoscopic equipment also contribute to the real-time diagnosis of H. pylori during endoscopy. Urea breathingtest and stool antigen test are most widely used noninvasive tests,whereas serology is useful in screening and epidemiological studies. Molecular methods have been used in variable specimens other than gastric mucosa. More than detection of H. pylori infection,several tests are introduced into the evaluation of virulence factors and antibiotic sensitivity of H. pylori,as well as screening precancerous lesions and gastric cancer. The aim of this article is to review the current options and novel developments of diagnostic tests and their applications in different clinical conditions or for specific purposes.