Relation between periodontitis and helicobacter pylori infection

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Periodontology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Periodontitis is a common oral condition, particularly in the elderly.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium primarily associated with gastric infections.
• Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between oral H. pylori colonization and various oral diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the correlation between periodontitis and the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity of elderly patients.
• To compare H. pylori infection rates in patients with and without periodontitis.
• To explore the relationship between periodontal disease severity and oral H. pylori detection.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 70 elderly patients with periodontitis and 70 healthy controls.
• Detection of H. pylori using PCR technique on dental plaque and gargle samples.
• Assessment of periodontal health status and comparison of H. pylori prevalence between groups.

Main Results:

• H. pylori urease C and cagA gene positivity rates were higher in the periodontitis group (71.4% and 35.7%) compared to the control group (34.3% and 12.9%).
• Significantly higher H. pylori detection in subgingival plaques versus supragingival plaques.
• Increased H. pylori prevalence was observed in patients with moderate and severe periodontitis compared to mild cases.

Conclusions:

• Oral H. pylori infection is more common in elderly individuals suffering from periodontitis.
• The severity of periodontal disease correlates with the prevalence of oral H. pylori.
• Findings suggest a potential association between oral H. pylori and the development or progression of periodontitis in the elderly.