Helicobacter pylori infection transmitted sexually via oral-genital contact: a hypothetical model.
OBJECTIVE
To postulate that Helicobacter pylori infection may be transmitted sexually, using the human female vagina as a reservoir for transmission.


METHODS
A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, Biological Abstracts, and Currents Contents (January 1983 to August 2000). Relevant keywords were used and additional manual searches were made using the reference lists from the selected articles to retrieve other papers relevant to the topic.


CONCLUSIONS
Helicobacter pylori infection could be transmitted sexually with the vagina acting as a potential temporary/permanent reservoir given the right environmental conditions.
Eslick
G D
GD
Department of Medicine, University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Clinical Sciences Building, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. eslickg@med.usyd.edu.au
D002175:Candida / Q000502:physiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000150:complications; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000382:microbiology*