Comparison of different methods to detect Helicobacter pylori in the dental plaque of dyspeptic patients.

The aim of this study was to compare different methods of detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the dental plaque of dyspeptic patients. After recording the clinical indices, culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods were performed on plaque samples, while rapid urease test in addition to these tests was carried on gastric samples from 67 dyspeptic patients who attended for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Forty-seven of 67 patients were H. pylori-positive in gastric biopsy material whereas the microbial dental plaque from 19 patients demonstrated H. pylori positivity detected by PCR. Among the patients, 25.4% harbored H. pylori both in the stomach and in microbial dental plaque. No significant correlations were found among the presence of H. pylori in the stomach, in plaque, and clinical variables (P > 0.05). Although oral hygiene was observed optimal and the mean of pocket depth was not found to be higher, the prevalence of H. pylori was observed to be higher in dental plaque. According to our results, PCR technique gave the highest detection rate both in gastric biopsy and in dental plaque compared to the other methods used.

Levels of interleukin-8 during tooth movement.

A host-derived neutrophil-activating cytokine interleukin-8 (IL-8) is secreted mainly by monocytes and is considered to be important in regulating alveolar bone resorption during tooth movement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of IL-8 during mechanical forces on periodontal tissues at different stages of orthodontic therapy. Ten canine teeth of patients having different Angle classifications were selected for the study. After the premolars were extracted, the maxillary/mandibular canines were tipped distally. Gingival crevicular fluid was sampled from mesial and distal gingival crevices of each canine separately at baseline and one hour, 24 hours, six days, 10 days, and 30 days after the application of the force. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantitative detection of IL-8 was used. Although there was an increase in the concentration of IL-8 at tension (mesial) sites after one hour, 24 hours, six days, and 10 days, a decrease was observed at 30 days. Pressure (distal) sites did not demonstrate such an increase at any period except at 10 days. However, the concentration of IL-8 at both sites showed a similar decrease and approached each other at day 30. We concluded that local host response toward the orthodontic forces might lead an increase in IL-8 and neutrophil accumulation, and this may be one of the triggers for bone remodeling processes.