Topic Highlight
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 7, 2014; 20(29): 9922-9935
Published online Aug 7, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i29.9922
Helicobacter pylori and oral pathology: Relationship with the gastric infection
Isabel Adler, Andrea Muiño, Silvia Aguas, Laura Harada, Mariana Diaz, Adriana Lence, Mario Labbrozzi, Juan Manuel Muiño, Boris Elsner, Alejandra Avagnina, Valeria Denninghoff
Isabel Adler, Andrea Muiño, Silvia Aguas, Laura Harada, Mariana Diaz, Adriana Lence, Mario Labbrozzi, Juan Manuel Muiño, Oral Diseases Curriculum, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, C1053ABJ Buenos Aires, Argentina
Boris Elsner, Alejandra Avagnina, Valeria Denninghoff, Department of Pathology, Center for Medical Education and Clinical Research “Norberto Quirno” (CEMIC), 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Valeria Denninghoff, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) Career Member, 14001 San José, Argentina
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this paper; all authors contributed to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; drafted the article or revised it critically for important intellectual content; and finally approved the version to be published.
Correspondence to: Isabel Adler, DD, PhD, Oral Diseases Curriculum, School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires, Viamonte 430, C1053ABJ Buenos Aires, Argentina. liadler@intramed.net
Telephone: +54-114-7671091 Fax: +54-114-7671091
Received: September 28, 2013
Revised: December 5, 2013
Accepted: April 1, 2014
Published online: August 7, 2014
Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been found in the oral cavity and stomach, and its infection is one of the most frequent worldwide. We reviewed the literature and conducted a Topic Highlight, which identified studies reporting an association between H. pylori-infection in the oral cavity and H. pylori-positive stomach bacterium. This work was designed to determine whether H. pylori is the etiologic agent in periodontal disease, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), squamous cell carcinoma, burning and halitosis. Record selection focused on the highest quality studies and meta-analyses. We selected 48 articles reporting on the association between saliva and plaque and H. pylori-infection. In order to assess periodontal disease data, we included 12 clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis. We evaluated 13 published articles that addressed the potential association with RAS, and 6 with squamous cell carcinoma. Fourteen publications focused on our questions on burning and halitosis. There is a close relation between H. pylori infection in the oral cavity and the stomach. The mouth is the first extra-gastric reservoir. Regarding the role of H. pylori in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma, no evidence is still available.

Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Oral pathology, Gastric infection, Burning and halitosis, Recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Core tip: Infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most frequent worldwide, with major implications for stomach pathology over the last twenty-five years. Early diagnosis is essential for control of the infection. There has been a growing interest in H. pylori-infection in the oral cavity, since the oral-oral is one of the major transmission routes. This review describes the association between H. pylori and different oral pathologies, such as periodontal disease, canker sores, squamous cell carcinoma, burning tongue and halitosis, and their correlation with the gastric pathology.