Helicobacter pylori Resistance: New Natural Candidates for Therapeutical Approach

Dear Colleagues,

Helicobacter pylori is associated with the development of gastritis, peptic and duodenal ulcers, gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and gastric cancer. It has been demonstrated that the eradication o H. pylori infection represents an important approach for preventing gastric cancer development.

The persistent increase in resistance versus the antimicrobial drugs commonly used in clinical practice represents one of the biggest concerns of global health. In particular, the resistance rate to clarithromycin is 30% in Italy and Japan, and 40% and 50% in Turkey and China, respectively, so that the resistance against the clarithromycin has been defined by World Health Organization as “a high priority for antibiotic research and development”. Hence, the identification of new therapeutical strategies based on the use of new molecules/compounds of natural origin that do not induce resistance and show efficacy against H. pylori eradication becomes necessary.

The survival and persistence of the microorganism in the human host is due to both its genetic variability and its capability to develop biofilm as well as to enter the viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. H. pylori develops a well-structured biofilm both in vivo and in vitro. The multifactorial nature of biofilm formation and drug tolerance requires the use of multitarget or combinational therapeutical approaches.

The aim of the present Special Issue is to collect articles focalized on the identification and characterization of (i) New molecules/compounds of natural origin with antibacterial and/or antibiofilm activities used alone or in combination with antimicrobials used in therapy. In particular, it will be of interest to look at biofilm removal strategies/compounds for the eradication of a mature biofilm as well as for the inhibition of biofilm formation to manage H. pylori biofilm infections in clinical practice; (ii) Probiotics or molecules/compounds derived from probiotics as well as the use of postbiotics and symbiotics for the eradication of H. pylori. Submissions of original research articles, commentaries, review articles, opinion articles, or hypothesis and theory articles are encouraged.

Dr. Francesca Sisto
Dr. Rossella Grande
Guest Editors

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