Tanzania, Aug. 21 -- Dar es Salaam. For some patients, treating Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is no longer a straightforward process, with doctors reporting cases in which commonly used medicines fail to clear the infection.

The bacterium, which can cause inflammation of the stomach lining, peptic ulcers and, in the long term, increase the risk of stomach cancer, is common in Tanzania and many other parts of the world.

Its symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, heartburn and nausea, are increasingly being reported by patients seeking medical care.

Health experts, however, are concerned about possible antibiotic resistance, which can make standard treatment less effective and leave patients experiencing recurring symptoms.

For J...