[Effects of the triple therapy in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: comparison of 3 different antibiotics].

To compare the effectiveness, in eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection, of three different antibiotics in combination with omeprazole and metronidazole, in order to establish which might be best in clinical practice. One hundred twenty three patients with HP-positivity, assessed by CLO-test and histology were studied. They were randomly assigned to the following therapies: clarithromycin (500 mg thrice daily) for 14 days, amoxycillin (twice daily) for 14 days, azithromycin (500 mg once daily) for 6 days, in combination with omeprazole (twice daily for 20 days and once for one month plus metronidazole (500 mg twice days) for 10 days. The eradication rate, among the three groups, was 97%, 80% and 68% respectively (p = 0.009); no statistical differences were remarked also between the group treated with amoxicyllin and that with clarithromycin, and between the group treated with amoxicyllin and that with azithromycin; there was only a statistical difference between the group treated with azithromycin and that with clarithromycin (p = 0.005). The Authors suggest that all the three antibiotics are effective in curing Helicobacter pylori infection and, that, the various use of the three antimicrobials should be evaluated from time to time on the basis of clinical data of the patients.