Helicobacter pylori in periodontal pockets and saliva: a possible role in gastric infection relapses.
It has been a long time since the scientific community started to speculate upon the presence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in periodontal pockets as an extra-gastric reservoir responsible for gastric relapses after eradication therapy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of oral HP in a group of patients who underwent examination for gastric infection. Sixty patients were enrolled in the current study, subdivided into two groups: 30 patients with a positive result for HP gastric infection with C-Breath Test Urea examination, and 30 patients with a negative result for HP gastric infection. Crevicular fluid and salivary samples were collected in a sterile tube and then sent to the laboratory for evaluation. Specimens were processed to quantify the levels of HP and bacterial load by real time PCR technique. Even though there was no statistically significant difference among the two groups (A vs B) with regard to the total amount of HP in saliva or in periodontal tissues, this study demonstrates that the oral cavity is an extra-gastric reservoir of HP when it is affected by periodontal disease, and that periodontal disease is correlated to gastric HP infection.
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Unit of Oral Pathology, Varese, Italy.
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Azzi
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
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Carinci
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Unit of Oral Pathology, Varese, Italy.
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Gabaglio
Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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Cura
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Unit of Oral Pathology, Varese, Italy.
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Croveri
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Unit of Oral Pathology, Varese, Italy.
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Tettamanti
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Dental Clinic, Unit of Oral Pathology, Varese, Italy.
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Tagliabue
Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, ASST dei Sette Laghi, Unit of Gastroenterology.
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Segato
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology