Henry Siu

Barry Marshall, a Nobel Prize winner in physiology in 2005 for his discovery of the role that bacterium Helicobacter pylori plays in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, is unveiling a groundbreaking sampling method in Hong Kong aimed at detecting the infection more effectively.

In an interview with The Standard, Marshall said the innovative technique - a disposable gastric specimen collection string - could potentially boost the rate of H pylori infection cures by up to 99 percent.

The method not only identifies the bacterium's presence but also assesses any potential drug resistance in a single procedure.

The string test, developed over the past five years, allows patients to collect bacterial samples from their empty stomachs using a soft, fluffy end attached to a long string.

The string is unraveled from a capsule, with the other end secured to the face using medical tape.

The non-invasive sampling takes an hour, after which the string is removed and sent for lab analysis.

Traditionally, identifying H pylori through breath tests can take up to two weeks, but the new method reduces it to just four hours.

One of the limitations of the breath tests is their inability to determine whether the detected bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

This can lead to unsuccessful treatments, forcing patients to switch medications and endure repeated therapies.

According to Marshall, the string test allows physicians to prescribe the most effective antibiotic tailored to each patient.

"The key takeaway is that each individual harbors a unique bacterial profile," Marshall said.

"We cannot simply rely on generalized treatments; instead, we aim for precision medicine in managing H pylori."

He said this approach may shorten treatment durations, potentially reducing the need for more complex antibiotics that often come with side effects, all while achieving higher cure rates.

Marshall exchanged insights with gastroenterologist Wong Tai-chiu regarding the rising number of drug-resistant H pylori cases here.

Wong said 40 to 50 percent of Hongkongers are diagnosed with the infection, with 10 to 20 percent of those cases showing drug resistance.

If left untreated, H pylori can lead to gastric ulcers and increase the risk of gastric cancer.

Wong said poor hygiene and close contact with infected individuals heightens the risk.

Symptoms such as upset stomach, dyspepsia or bloating may indicate an infection.

He recommended improved personal hygiene and avoiding contaminated food to mitigate the risk, as saliva, vomit and feces can be sources of infection.

Barry Marshall with Wong Tai-chiu. SINg tao