Occurrence of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque and saliva of dyspeptic patients

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach is associated with gastric and duodenal ulcers, gastric cancers and gastric lymphoma. The organism is transmitted by ingestion, but the oral-oral route and the fecal-oral route are also suggested. The prevalence of infection with H. pylori in developing countries, including Brazil, is higher than in developed countries. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of the oral cavity as a reservoir of this species, by evaluating the occurrence of H. pylori in supragingival dental plaque and in saliva of Brazilian dyspeptic patients, whether harboring the organism or not in the stomach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients reporting dyspeptic symptoms were subjected to oral clinical examination and collection of saliva and supragingival dental plaque samples prior to the endoscopic examination. The detection of H. pylori in oral samples was performed by PCR using 16S rRNA primers. The bacteria were detected in stomach by means of the rapid urease test. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori was detected in the stomach of 20 of 49 subjects reporting dyspeptic symptoms. The organism was detected in only one supragingival plaque sample, obtained from a patient positive for the urease test in the stomach and in none of the salivary samples. CONCLUSION: Supragingival dental plaque and saliva may not be relevant reservoirs of H. pylori.