Distribution of Helicobacter pylori in the oral cavity according to the condition of the tongue

<h2>Abstract</h2> <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> is a risk factor for gastric diseases, such as peptic ulcers and cancer, and the condition of the tongue is considered to reflect both the general health and that of the digestive system. The oral cavity has been proposed as a reservoir of <i>H. pylori</i>. However, the relationship between <i>H. pylori</i> in the oral cavity and the condition of the tongue remains unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the relationship between the distribution of <i>H. pylori</i> in the oral cavity and the condition of the tongue. Saliva, dental plaque, and tongue coating samples from 93 subjects were subjected to nested PCR in order to detect <i>H. pylori</i> and other bacterial species. The presence of <i>H. pylor</i>i was confirmed in 21 saliva (22.6 %), 19 dental plaque (20.4 %), and 10 tongue coating (10.8 %) samples. A tongue examination was then performed to identify the following: no tongue coating, the presence or absence of swelling of the sublingual vein, a red tongue tip, a fissured tongue, enlarged tongue, geographic tongue, and tooth marks. No significant relationship was found between the detection of <i>H. pylori</i> in the oral cavity and a tongue coating, a possible pathological change, or swelling of the sublingual vein, indicating microcirculation disorders. Additionally, the detection rate of <i>H. pylori</i> in the oral cavity did not significantly differ among other conditions, such as a red tongue tip or red tongue, fissured tongue, enlarged tongue, geographic tongue, and tooth marks. In conclusion, <i>H. pylori</i> was detected in various parts of the oral cavity, including saliva, dental plaque, and tongue coating. However, difficulties are associated with diagnosing <i>H. pylori</i> based solely on the condition of the tongue.