Propolis Use and Helicobacter pylori: Two Case Reports

Propolis possesses many beneficial biological activities and 13C urea breath (13C UBT) test is considered to be the best non-invasive test for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate propolis effects on H. pylori infection status and 13C UBT results of two untreated symptomatic adults. The first patient with chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux was tested by 13C UBT for H. pylori several times over >1 year. The subject used only non-antibiotic agents involving propolis. All 13C UBT results of the patient were positive. The second patient had taken propolis on the day before the test and the UBT result was negative, while the culture was positive. In conclusion, although propolis alone or with other non-antibiotic agents may be a good adjunct in the infection therapy, the long-term bee glue use did not lead to H. pylori eradication in the first patient. Conversely, the use of propolis several days before the test may result in false negative UBT results, raising the question of the need to avoid propolis use at least several days before the UBT. The optimal dosage and duration of bee glue use should be further evaluated.