Detection of cagA and iceA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in oral cavity

SALINAS IBÁÑEZ AG, ; ARISMENDI SOSA AC, ; DENITA JUÁREZ SP, .; VEGA AE

San Luis

Congreso; XXX Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo.; 2012

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Helicobacter pylori, is a bacteria commonly found in the stomach and is the major cause of gastritis, duodenal ulcers and gastric carcinoma. H. pylori strains that have cagA-positive and iceA1/2 genotypes are associated with an intense inflammatory response, which leads to the development of more severe gastric pathologies. The oral cavity has been proposed as a reservoir of H. pylori infection and as a source of reinfection following successful eradication from the stomach. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori in relation to cagA and iceA genotypes in the oral cavity of 12 individuals. Diagnosis of infection using specie-specific antigen primer and detection of cagA, iceA1 and iceA2 virulence genes was performed from 2-3 mL of saliva samples by PCR. In this study DNA from H. pylori was detected in 66% of saliva samples. The prevalence of the cagA, iceA1 and iceA2 genes was 25, 12.5 and 50%, respectively. One case presented all virulence genes, indicating colonization with more than one H. pylori genotype. The detection of H. pylori virulent genotypes is important because it is presumed that severe gastric diseases are seen more often in patients who have been chronically infected with H. pylori isolates that bear both the cagA and iceA1/2 genes. Thus, the transient colonization of oral cavity with H. pylori virulent strains, could lead to the spread these microorganisms by direct transmission from person to person.