ABSENCE OF HELICOBACTER-PYLORI IN DENTAL PLAQUES IN HELICOBACTER-PYLORI POSITIVE DYSPEPTIC PATIENTS

To test the validity of reports on detection of Helicobacter pylori in the mouth, samples were obtained simultaneously from the gastric muco sa and dental plaques for culture in 94 patients examined consecutivel y by endoscopy. Histological examinations and serological tests were a lso performed. Helicobacter pylori was not found in the mouth of any o f the patients including 52 who had culture-positive gastric biopsies. Thus earlier results could not be confirmed, however, other technique s such as the polymerase chain reaction might give different results.