Recurrent aphthous stomatitis and Helicobacter pylori

Area of Science:

• Oral medicine
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common, painful oral ulcerative condition.
• Potential contributing factors include trauma, diet, nutritional status, systemic diseases, immune dysfunction, and genetic factors.
• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gastric pathogen, has been investigated for its potential role in RAS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature investigating the association between H. pylori infection and Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS).

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted on Pubmed (MEDLINE) up to July 2015.
• Keywords used were 'Helicobacter Pylori' or 'H. pylori' and 'RAS' or 'Recurrent aphthous stomatitis'.
• Included studies were assessed for quality using the University of Oxford's Center for Evidence Based Medicine Criteria.

Main Results:

• Fifteen experimental studies and three reviews (including a systematic review and meta-analysis) were included.
• Diverse methodologies were employed across studies, including PCR, culture, ELISA, and urea breath test.
• H. pylori was detected in the oral mucosa or lesions of some RAS patients, but study methodologies and patient criteria varied significantly.

Conclusions:

• RAS ulcers are not definitively associated with the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity.
• There is no conclusive evidence that H. pylori infection is a causative factor in the development of RAS.
• While H. pylori eradication might influence RAS clinical course, the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined.