The Association Of Dental Plaque And Helicobacter Pylori Infection In Dyspeptic Patients Undergoing Endoscopy
3614-3621
Correspondence
Dr. Deepika Bali
M.D.S. , Reader, Dept Of Periodontology,
D.A.V.(C) Dental College, Yamuna Nagar-135001
Haryana, India
Phone No. +919466302335
Email- drdeepikab@yahoo.com
Objective and Background
The aim of this study was to analyze whether there is any association between dental plaque, oral hygiene and periodontal disease and Helicobacter pylori gastric infection. H.pylori, a spiral shaped microaerophilic bacterium, is responsible for peptic ulcer diseases, gastritis and gastric malignancies. Among various reports on the transmission of H. pylori, the faecal oral and oral-oral routes have been suggested to be the most plausible ones. Although it may be transmitted through the oral cavity, it is unknown whether the dental plaque acts as a permanent reservoir of H. pylori.
Methods
In this case control study, 124 dyspeptic patients with dyspepticsymptoms were categorized into the cases (60) and the controls (64) on the basis of the rapid urease test (RUT) and the histopathological results of the antral biopsy specimens. Patients with either of the tests positive or with both the tests positive were categorized as the cases and those with both the tests negative were taken as the controls.
Results
A high prevalence of H. pylori in dental plaque was found among the cases than in the controls. Among the cases, 52 patients out of the 60 (86.6%), had a positive rapid urease test in the dental plaque and among the controls, 12 out of 64 (18.75%) showed positive results. A highly significant association was found between poor oral hygiene status and periodontal disease (probing pocket depth) with H.pylori infection.
Conclusion
Triple / quadruple therapy has no effect on plaque associated H.pylori and it may continue to act as a reservoir. Plaque control measures and pocket eradication therapy are highly beneficial in eliminating and preventing the colonization of H.pylori in the oral cavity.