High Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylon\u27 in Saliva Demonstrated by a Novel PCR Assay

Aims-To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacterpylori in the saliva ofpatients infected with this bacterium. Methods-A novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to detect Hpylori in saliva and gastric biopsy specimens from patients undergoing endoscopy. Results-Our PCR assay amplified a 417 base pair fragment of DNA from all 21 DNAs derived from Hpylon clinical isolates but did not amplify DNA from 23 non-H pylon strains. Sixty three frozen gastric biopsy and 56 saliva specimens were tested. H pylon specific DNA was detected by PCR in all 39 culture positive biopsy specimens and was also identified from another seven biopsy specimens which were negative by culture but positive by histology. H pylon specific DNA was identified byPCRin saliva specimens from 30 (75%) of 40 patients with H pylori infection demonstrated by culture or histological examination, or both, and in three patients without Hpylon infection in the stomach. Conclusion-The results indicate that the oral cavity harbours Hpylon and may be the source of infection and transmission