Detection of cytotoxin genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in stomach, saliva and dental plaque

The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Helicobacter pylori and its virulent cagA genes in the oral cavity of individuals with upper gastric diseases. Sixty-two individuals (42 ± 2.3 years) with dispepsy symptoms, referred for gastroscopy and who were H. pylori positive in the gastric biopsy, were recruited and separated in two groups: case group—individuals with gastric disease (n = 30); control group—individuals with no gastric disease (n = 32); saliva, dental plaque and biopsy samples were collected from all individuals. Oral and biopsy samples were analyzed by PCR using specific primers for H. pylori 16S ribosomal and cagA genes. PCR products were sequenced for DNA homology confirmation. H. pylori was detected neither in dental plaque nor in saliva in the control group. In the case group H. pylori DNA was detected in 16/30 (53.3%) saliva samples and in 11/30 (36.6%) dental plaque samples. The cagA gene was detected in 13/30 (43.3%) gastric biopsies, in 7/16 (43.8%) saliva samples, and in 3/11 (27.3%) dental plaque samples. Eighteen (60.0%) individuals in the case group were H. pylori positive both in oral and biopsy samples, and 8 (26.6%) of those were positive for cagA-H. pylori DNA. H. pylori and its virulent clone showed a higher prevalence in the oral cavity of individuals in the case group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that dental plaque and saliva may serve as temporary reservoir for H. pylori and its virulent cagA variant in individuals with gastric disease

Presence of Helicobacter pylori in supragingival dental plaque of individuals with periodontal disease and upper gastric diseases

Background Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative microorganism which is able to colonize the gastric mucosa and is associated with peptic ulcer, gastric carcinoma, and gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Several studies have detected this bacterium in the oral cavity, suggesting it as a potential reservoir. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity of individuals with periodontal disease and gastric diseases. Methods 115 individuals, with mean age 49.6 (±5.8) years, were divided in 4 groups: (A) with gastric diseases and periodontal disease; (B) with gastric diseases and no periodontal disease; (C) without gastric diseases and without periodontal disease, (D) without gastric diseases and with periodontal disease. Supra and subgingival plaque samples were collected from posterior teeth of the individuals with sterile paper points, and prepared for Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis. Fisher's exact test was used for detecting statistical differences between groups (p < 0.05). Results H. pylori was detected in supragingival plaque of 9/36 (25%) of group A, 1/31 (0.3%) of group B, 0 (0%) of group C and 3/36 (8.3%) of group D. No subgingival samples were positive for H. pylori. There was a statistically higher prevalence of H. pylori in groups A and D when compared to B and C (p < 0.05). Conclusion H. pylori was detected in the supragingival plaque, but not in the subgingival plaque, of individuals with periodontal disease and upper gastric diseases. There was an association between the supragingival colonization of H. pylori and oral hygiene parameters such as the presence of plaque and gingival bleeding

Higher levels of salivary MUC5B and MUC7 in individuals with gastric diseases who harbor Helicobacter pylori

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the salivary levels of MUC5B and MUC7 in individuals with dyspeptic disease and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stomach, compared to individuals without dyspeptic disease. Methods: 30 individuals with dyspeptic disease, who underwent endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal complaints at Hospital Pedro Ernesto-RJ, Brasil and tested positive for H. pylori, and 23 controls with no dyspeptic disease, with mean age 53.5 ± 4.4 years, were included in the study. Saliva samples and 3 antral biopsy were taken for PCR analysis and histologic examination. In addition, saliva samples were tested by ELISA with F2 monoclonal antibody and EU7A antibody against MUC7, to determine MUC5B and MUC7 levels, prior to endoscopic examination. The expression pattern of the proteins was quantified by comparison to a pooled saliva sample of 19 healthy volunteers. Results: MUC5B and MUC7 salivary levels were higher in the individuals with dyspeptic disease than in controls (p < 0.0001). 33.3% (9/30) of the dyspeptic individuals and 0% of the controls had H. pylori in the oral cavity. Conclusions: Individuals with gastric diseases, with H. pylori in the stomach, showed higher levels of salivary H. pylori receptors-MUC5B and MUC7-than individuals without gastric diseases. These results suggest that higher levels of specific salivary mucins could be useful as risk indicators for infection by H. pylori