Absence of Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque determined by immunoperoxidase.

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.