title: Gastrointestinal diseases and halitosis: association of gastric Helicobacter pylori infection.
abstract: The relationship between gastrointestinal conditions and halitosis is discussed. Few reports have suggested that gastrointestinal diseases may cause halitosis. H. pylori infection, which causes gastric ulcers, is considered as a possible cause for halitosis. Intensity of malodour of mouth air was found to be higher in H. pylori-positive patients than in negative patients. The levels of hydrogen sulphide and dimethyl sulphide in mouth air were also significantly higher in the positive patients than in the negative patients (P<0.05). When odour strength in exhaled breath was compared between the two groups, no significant difference was found. Hence, H. pylori infection might not cause a systemic condition producing breath odour. Although there were no significant differences in periodontal parameters or tongue coating between the positive and negative groups, H. pylori may be a frequent contributor to the production of malodour even though its role had not been suspected before. Further study would be necessary to clarify the reason for the increase of volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) level in H. pylori infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, School of Medicine, Japan. keikah@ta2.so-net.ne.jp
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoshi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mitsunaga
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kagawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ogiuchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005260:Female; D006209:Halitosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000032:analysis; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009909:Oral Health; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D013440:Sulfides / Q000032:analysis; D014059:Tongue
chemical_list: D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; C005231:methylmercaptan; C004784:dimethyl sulfide; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide