Helicobacter pylori is the major cause of chronic gastritis, and considered as a risk factor for peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. The H. pylori standard antibiotic therapy fails in about 25–30% of cases, particularly because of the increasing occurrence of resistance to antibiotics. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17648 which has been previously shown to reduce Helicobacter pylori load additionally improves gastrointestinal symptoms in H. pylori positive subjects when used in a 28 days supplementation. In a single-blinded, placebo controlled study 24 H. pylori-positive adults (13 females, 11 males; median age: 43.5) with mild dyspepsia (mean GSRS score: 11.82) received placebo for 28 days followed by Pylopass™ containing the L. reuteri DSM 17648 (2 × 1010 cells per day) for the following 28 days. After 28 days of Pylopass™ supplementation the change in H. pylori load was measured by 13C urea breath test (13C-UBT) and the change in symptoms were determined by the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). In addition, blood assessments were conducted to measure the physiological changes relevant in terms of safety. After a 28-day supplementation phase with Pylopass™ there was a trend for reduction of H. pylori load in 62.5% of the subjects and for the overall GSRS scores in 66.7% of subjects. The overall GSRS scores from baseline to day 56 following all 24 subjects undergoing the placebo phase followed by the Pylopass™ phase was significantly decreased (p = 0.005). The mean 13C-UBT δ value decreased by 22.5% during the Pylopass™ supplementation phase (− 3.14), while the mean 13C-UBT δ increased by 37.3% (+ 3.79) in the placebo phase. No side effects were reported in either study phase. The results demonstrated that L. reuteri DSM17648 has the potential to suppress H. pylori infection, and may lead to an improvement of H. pylori-associated gastro intestinal symptoms. Further studies with adequate power should be performed. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02051348 (January 30, 2014).

Introduction: High-resolution ano-rectal manometry (HRAM), part of the investigative process to diagnose disorders of recto-anal co-ordination, is currently performed in the left-lateral position (LLP). This may seem unnatural for patients and recent data suggest that the seated, squatted position (SP) may improve rectal drive and recto-anal pressure gradients, raising the question as to whether defaecatory dyssenergia (DD) is over-diagnosed when the test is carried out in the LLP. Aim/method: A single centre study was carried out in patients with faecal incontinence and/or constipation to evaluate the effect of SP versus LLP on HRAM analysis and resultant manometric diagnosis of DD. Positioning was consecutive and the order was randomised for each patient. The HRAM protocol was carried out in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines (Manoscan). Data analysis and interpretation were blinded with a consensus reached for each test position. Data (mean ± SEM) were analysed using an unpaired t-test and Chi-square test. Results: In total, 40 patients completed the study, including 33 females with a median age of 56 (IQR 48–63). The mean rectal drive was significantly higher in the SP vs. LLP (82.6 ± 5.3 mmHg vs. 44.1 ± 3.9 mmHg, respectively, p < 0.0001). No difference in the anal sphincter relaxation pressure (66.7 ± 5.7 mmHg vs. 70.9 ± 5.5 mmHg, p = 0.9535) was detected. The manometric diagnoses of abnormal ano-rectal co-ordination were significantly higher in the LLP, when p = 0.013. Patients reported a significant preference for the seated position, when p = 0.0001. Conclusion: These data show that HRAM in the seated position improves rectal drive, which reduces manometric diagnoses of abnormal ano-rectal coordination. These findings may have important implications for practice and may inform future guidelines.