BACKGROUND: Many polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori DNA is prevalent in the oral cavity, but reports on the isolation of live bacteria are extremely rare. Thus, it is still unclear whether H. pylori can indeed survive in the oral environment. METHODS: Here we used electron microscopy, selective growth techniques, urease assays, 16S rRNA PCR, and western blotting to investigate the possible presence of live H. pylori in 10 root canal and corresponding plaque samples of endodontic-infected deciduous teeth in three children. RESULTS: Although H. pylori DNA was verifiable by PCR in several plaque and root canal samples, bacterial colonies could only be grown from two root canals, but not from plaque. These colonies were unequivocally identified as H. pylori by microscopic, genetic, and biochemical approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that root canals of endodontic-infected teeth may be a reservoir for live H. pylori that could serve as a potential source for transmission.
BACKGROUND: Many polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori DNA is prevalent in the oral cavity, but reports on the isolation of live bacteria are extremely rare. Thus, it is still unclear whether H. pylori can indeed survive in the oral environment. METHODS: Here we used electron microscopy, selective growth techniques, urease assays, 16S rRNA PCR, and western blotting to investigate the possible presence of live H. pylori in 10 root canal and corresponding plaque samples of endodontic-infected deciduous teeth in three children. RESULTS: Although H. pylori DNA was verifiable by PCR in several plaque and root canal samples, bacterial colonies could only be grown from two root canals, but not from plaque. These colonies were unequivocally identified as H. pylori by microscopic, genetic, and biochemical approaches. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that root canals of endodontic-infected teeth may be a reservoir for live H. pylori that could serve as a potential source for transmission.
Authors: Tobias D Schoep; Alma Fulurija; Fayth Good; Wei Lu; Robyn P Himbeck; Carola Schwan; Sung Sook Choi; Douglas E Berg; Peer R E Mittl; Mohammed Benghezal; Barry J Marshall Journal: PLoS One Date: 2010-11-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Terry Kwok; Dana Zabler; Sylwia Urman; Manfred Rohde; Roland Hartig; Silja Wessler; Rolf Misselwitz; Jürgen Berger; Norbert Sewald; Wolfgang König; Steffen Backert Journal: Nature Date: 2007-10-18 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: Nicole Tegtmeyer; Francisco Rivas Traverso; Manfred Rohde; Omar A Oyarzabal; Norbert Lehn; Wulf Schneider-Brachert; Richard L Ferrero; James G Fox; Douglas E Berg; Steffen Backert Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-08-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Stefan Bereswill; Steffen Backert; Markus M Heimesaat; André Fischer; Marie Alutis; Ursula Grundmann; Manja Boehm; Nicole Tegtmeyer; Ulf B Göbel; Anja A Kühl Journal: Gut Pathog Date: 2014-05-27 Impact factor: 4.181