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Absence of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque determined by immunoperoxidase
E Savoldi1, M G Marinone, R Negrini
1Clinica Odontoiatrica, Spedali Civili-Brescia, Italy.
Background:
Attempts to detect Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque have given contrasting results, and the possibility of an oral-oral transmission of the infection remains unclear. In this study, a sensitive and specific immunoperoxidase method has been employed to assess the presence of H. pylori in dental plaque.
Methods:
Dental plaque smears from 80 patients undergoing gastroscopy were analyzed by an indirect immunoperoxidase test, employing a mixture of two monoclonal antibodies against H. pylori.
Results:
No immunostained bacteria were shown in any of the examined dental plaque samples.
Conclusions:
H. pylori is not usually present in dental plaque, indicating that oral-oral transmission of the infection could be due to intermittent esophageal reflux only.