title: Helicobacter pylori DNA in dental plaques, gastroscopy, and dental devices.
abstract: The role of dental plaque in the transmission of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is unclear due to variability in the detection rates and techniques used. We used nested PCR to estimate the incidence of Hp in dental plaques of 24 dental hygienists. We found an unexpectedly high incidence (50%) of Hp DNA in dental plaques using sterilized dental probes. Additional treatment of sonication and SDS wash prior to sterilization of dental probes reduced the incidence to 13%. We used the treated probes to assess Hp presence in plaque samples of 47 patients visiting the dental clinic for teeth cleaning. Hp DNA was detected in 24% of cases. Since these data may reflect instrument contamination, we tested dental probes, endoscopes, and endoscopy forceps and found that 12.5-37.5% of them were contaminated. Consequently, dental plaques may be a candidate reservoir for Hp, medical equipment may contribute to Hp transmission, and sample collection techniques can bias the true prevalence of Hp in a population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Abd Al Nasser
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Hawajri
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Keret
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Simhon
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zlotkin
authors.forename: Yolanta
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: Herve
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bercovier
authors.forename: Galia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rahav
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003748:Dental Equipment / Q000382:microbiology*; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology*; D004203:Disinfection; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D020699:Gastroscopes / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial