title: Detection of Helicobacter pylori in patients with head and neck cancer: Results from a prospective comparative study combining serology, polymerase chain reaction, and rapid urease test.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the presence and impact of the gastric carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the upper aerodigestive tract. Previous studies suggested it could represent a risk factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Serology, rapid urease test, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for H. pylori were performed in patients with head and neck cancer (N = 56) and cancer-free controls (N = 90). Comparison between groups was done using logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates of positive serology and rapid urease test did not differ between the 2 groups in logistic regression analysis (p = .677 and p = .633, respectively). Birth in a developing country and age above 50 years old were predictors of positive serology (p < .001 and p = .040, respectively). Using qPCR, no biopsy showed the presence of H. pylori.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study challenges the concept that H. pylori may be a risk factor for HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Grégoire B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fellmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Roman D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Laske
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Jan U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Weisert
authors.affiliation: Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soltermann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zbinden
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Probst
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Gerhard F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Huber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000379:methods; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D014510:Urease / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D014510:Urease
keywords: head and neck cancer; helicobacter pylori; polymerase chain reaction (PCR); rapid urease test; serology