RESUMEN
Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) has been associated with the cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Although it may be transmitted through the oral cavity, it is unknown whether the oral cavity acts as a reservoir of H. pylori. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mode of detection of H. pylori in oral cavity of adult periodontitis patients with plaque and periodontal pocket which atmosphere is grown well H. pylori. We analysed detection rate of H. pylori in saliva and subgingival plaques of 17 adult periodontitis patients without symptoms of gastroduodenal disease by nested PCR. Samples tested comprised saliva and subgingival plaques from central incisor, 1st premolar and 1st molar. H. pylori DNA was not identified in saliva from all patients. The detection rate in subgingival plaque from incisors, premolars and molars was 5.9%, 5.9% and 17.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the dental plaque and periodontal pocket (especially, of molars) in adult periodontitis can be favorable reservoir of H. pylori and may be the source of infection and transmission of H. pylori.