Open AccessHelicobacter pyloriand its reservoirs: A correlation with the gastric infection
Author(s) -
Spencer Luíz Marques Payão,
Lucas Trevizani Rasmussen
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
world journal of gastrointestinal pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2150-5349
DOI - 10.4292/wjgpt.v7.i1.126
Subject(s) - helicobacter pylori , medicine , saliva , cancer , tonsil , stomach , gastritis , transmission (telecommunications) , gastroenterology , oral cavity , dental plaque , tongue , pathology , dentistry , electrical engineering , engineering
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has long been found to cause gastric diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcers and gastric cancer. The transmission medium of this bacterium has yet to be determined, though several studies have speculated that the oral cavity is a reservoir for H. pylori. Others have also reported that the oral cavity may be a source of both transmission and gastric reinfection; however, such results are controversial. We reviewed the literature and selected studies that report an association among H. pylori detections in the oral cavity (dental plaque, saliva, tongue, tonsil tissue, root canals, oral mucosa) in humans and in animals, as well as in the human stomach. The oral cavity may be considered the main reservoir for H. pylori. There are a correlations between H. pylori infection in the oral cavity and periodontal disease, oral tissue inflammation, H. pylori transmission, and gastric reinfection. We believe that the mouth is a reservoir and that it plays a crucial role in both H. pylori transmission and gastric infection.