Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori among gastrointestinal endoscopists, radiologists and paramedical personnel.

BACKGROUND: The route of transmission of Helicobacter pylori is unknown. Since the organism has been isolated from saliva, gastric juice and stool, medical personnel could be at high risk for acquiring the infection during procedures like gastrointestinal endoscopy. AIMS: To study whether endoscopy is a professional hazard for acquisition of H. pylori. METHODS: We studied the prevalence of IgG antibodies to H. pylori in endoscopists (n = 17), radiologists (n = 17) and personnel from paraclinical branches (n = 35); microbiology (n = 21), pathology (n = 7) and forensic medicine (n = 7); among the paraclinical personnel five were at high risk because they worked with cultures of H. pylori. Subjects answered a questionnaire regarding upper gastrointestinal symptoms, and precautions taken at the work place against infection. The serum was tested for IgG antibodies to H. pylori using a microwell ELISA and a rapid card test. RESULTS: H. pylori antibodies were present in five (29.4%) endoscopists, three (17.6%) radiologists and seven (20%) paraclinical personnel; only one of the 5 high risk para medical personnel was positive. There was no correlation between the duration of performing endoscopies and the H. pylori IgG status. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy is not a risk factor for acquiring H. pylori infection.

Dental plaque: an unlikely reservoir of Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Dental plaque has been suggested as a reservoir for Helicobacter pylori, though data in this regard are conflicting. We evaluated the prevalence of H. pylori DNA in dental plaque using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Antral H. pylori status of 156 patients with acid-peptic disease (APD) was studied by rapid urease test (RUT), histology and culture. Dental plaque obtained from these 156 patients and 92 healthy volunteers was evaluated for the presence of H. pylori using RUT, culture and PCR. RESULTS: H. pylori was present in 133 antral biopsy samples by RUT and/or histology. The dental plaque of 37 patients with APD and 21 healthy volunteers tested positive by RUT. H. pylori was not isolated by culture from any of the dental plaques. PCR gave a significant amplification product in 11 of 248 (4.4%) dental plaque samples, 7 from patients with APD and 4 from normal healthy volunteers. CONCLUSION: The frequency of H. pylori in the dental plaque is low, and this is unlikely to be a prominent site of infection with H. pylori.