Presence of Helicobacter pylori Detected by PCR in Saliva of Male Smokers and Non Smokers with Chronic Periodontitis

Aims: To assess the comparative presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in saliva of smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis.
Study Design: Male individuals diagnosed with chronic periodontitis with and without smoking habits were enrolled in the study. The unstimulated whole saliva was subjected to H. pylori DNA detection using real time PCR. The percent presence of H. pylori DNA among the groups, were statistically compared.
Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Biochemistry and Department of Dentistry, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ group of Hospitals, Mumbai and Department of Microbiology, Sinhgad Dental College, Pune, between January 2010 and June 2010.
Materials and Methods: A total of 48 males with severe chronic periodontitis (CAL≥5mm) were divided into two groups, Group I (n=30, mean age=44.2±5.88 yrs) with smoking habit, Group II (n=18, mean age 41.72±4.36yrs) without any smoking habit. Nonsmokers with slight chronic periodontitis (CAL<3mm) were enrolled as controls, Group III (n=16, mean age 39.64±5.04 yrs). Periodontal status was evaluated by measuring gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Salivary samples were subjected to real time PCR for detection of H. pylori DNA.
Result: Periodontal parameters were significantly different between Group I and II compared to Group III (P=.001). Overall, H. pylori was not detected in Group III (100% negative), whereas 5.5% of Group II and 13.3% in Group I patients showed presence of H. pylori. Chi-square test showed a significant difference (P=.003) between Group I and Group III however it was seen that there was an insignificant difference between Group I and Group II (P=.312) and between Group II and Group III (P=.186).
Conclusion: The smokers with chronic periodontitis may be at a relatively higher risk of H. pylori presence in the oral cavity, than non smokers. The study needs validation on a larger sample size.