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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cheryl S. Broussard, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 1200 Herman Pressler Dr., RAS W904A, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9325, Cheryl.S.Broussard@uth.tmc.edu, Karen J. Goodman, PhD, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Zeidler Ledcor Centre, 130 University Campus, Edmonton, AB T6G 2X8, Canada, Abdulaziz A. Bin Saeed, PhD, Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University College of Medicine, PO Box 2925, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia, Zhannat Nurgalieva, Baylor College of Medicine, 2002 Holcombe Blvd., 111-D, Houston, TX 77030, and Lori A. Fischbach, PhD, School of Public Health, University of North Texas, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., CBH-355, Fort Worth, TX 76107.

The Pasitos Cohort Study follows children in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico to identify determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection. Although treatment failure is common with anti-H.pylori regimens of <3 drugs, monotherapy for common infections is hypothesized to decrease H.pylori persistence in children. This analysis compares the frequency of children's antibiotic intake, emphasizing those with anti-H.pylori action (Hp antibiotics), in the US (prescriptions required) and Mexico (prescriptions not required), a contrast of interest given concerns about antibiotic resistance from misuse of antibiotics. Children were enrolled prenatally at maternal-child clinics. At follow-ups targeted at 6-month intervals during 1998-2005, mothers reported medication use during the preceding interval. Antibiotic data were available for 602 children from 2,557 follow-ups. While overall systemic antibiotic use from birth through 7 years was more frequent in Juarez (children with ≥ one course: 47% vs. 37%), Hp antibiotics were more frequent in El Paso (25% vs. 13%). Hp antibiotic use peaked in infancy and school-entry age (5-6 years). Of reported Hp antibiotic courses, 94% contained amoxicillin, 2% were clarithromycin (mostly in the US) and 2% each were metronidazole and furazolidone (mostly in Mexico). Hp antibiotic courses were for: in Juarez, throat infection (41%), diarrhea (17%), cold/flu (15%); in El Paso, ear infection (33%), throat infection (28%), unspecified infection (12%), cold (6%). 12% of El Paso children used Hp antibiotics purchased in Mexico. In summary, Hp antibiotics were more frequent in the US; apparent misuse of antibiotics was more frequent in Mexico but was also observed in El Paso.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the contrast between US and Mexican children’s intake of antibiotics with anti-H. pylori action (Hp antibiotics).
• List the main types of Hp antibiotics used by Hispanic children.
• Identify the reasons for Hp antibiotic use in both US and Mexican children, with attention to frequency of misuse in both populations.

Keywords: Helicobactor pylori, Antimicrobial Drugs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered