Oral Cavity as an Extragastric Reservoir of Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human bacterial infections. H. pylori has been closely linked to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. Recent data suggest a possible correlation of this microorganism with other conditions such as anemia, altered serum levels of lipoproteins and coronary atherosclerosis. Although H. pylori is present in about half of the world’s population, the rout of its transmission is not clearly defined. The most likely routes of transmission  are oral-oral and fecal-oral. Samples of these microorganisms found in soil, animals and humans indicate the role of the extragastric routs in their transmission. As H. pylori is found in saliva and dental plaque, it could be transmitted by the oral route.
In order that the oral cavity is considered a reservoir of H. pilori, this may have clinical significance in the combined treatment including antibiotics, antacids and gastric mucosa protectors.

Despite modern treatment methods, the level of infection remains relatively high, probably due to a possible re-colonization from the dental plaque.
It is therefore important to determine the possible correlation between dental plaque and periodontal disease and H. Pylori.