Helicobacter pylori infection transmitted sexually via oral-genital contact: a hypothetical model

Objectives: To postulate that Helicobacter pylori infection may be transmit ted sexually, using the human female vagina as a reservoir for transmission . Methods: A literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, Biologica l Abstracts, and Currents Contents (January 1983 to August 2000). Relevant keywords were used and additional manual searches were made using the refer ence lists from the selected articles to retrieve other papers relevant to the topic. Conclusions: Helicobacter pylori infection could be transmitted sexually wi th the vagina acting as a potential temporary/permanent reservoir given the right environmental conditions.