[The significance of detection of Helicobacter pylori in saliva].
OBJECTIVE
To explore noninvasive and effective method to detect Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in saliva.


METHODS
DNAs of saliva and gastric mucosa from 138 and 159 patients of various gastro-duodenal diseases were detected with PCR by use of primers amplifying vacA gene. The products were further processed for SSCP and Southern blot hybridization.


RESULTS
The rate of detection of Hp in saliva and gastric mucosa was 71.7% and 100% respectively. vacA(1) and vacA(2), being the two subtypes of vacA, were recognized in Hp. PCR/SSCP analysis showed a 98% identity of the strains of Hp in the saliva and gastric mucosa.


CONCLUSIONS
Hp could be colonized in saliva and probably transmitted orally. The new method may provide noninvasive approach for detection of Hp and could be used in the investigation of family aggregation of Hp infection.
Peng
H
H
Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730.
Pan
G
G
Chao
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005260:Female; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000382:microbiology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C074689:VacA protein, Helicobacter pylori