Investigation of involvement of dental caries in Helicobacter pylori infection mechanism

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18778
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 57070:Developmental dentistry-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Ogaya Yuko 大阪大学, 歯学研究科, 助教 (40803078)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: ヘリコバクター・ピロリ菌 / 齲蝕

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the presence of dental caries and colonization of Helicobacter pylori in the human oral cavity. In addition, the relationship between biofilms formed by colonization of Streptococcus mutans, cariogenic bacteria, and H. pylori was examined. The detection rate of H. pylori was significantly higher in subjects with as compared to those without untreated dental caries. In addition, biofilm containing S. mutans formed on tooth surfaces was found to be a risk factor for H. pylori colonization in the oral cavity. These results suggest that the presence of dental caries together with S. mutans in the oral cavity may be a risk factor for H. pylori colonization.

Free Research Field

歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、齲蝕およびその原因菌であるミュータンスレンサ球菌の存在がピロリ菌の口腔内への定着に関与する可能性を示唆された。今後さらに本研究を進め、齲蝕を含めた口腔衛生環境とピロリ菌定着の関連が明らかになれば、乳幼児期から齲蝕を予防することがピロリ菌の胃への感染成立を防止し、関連する胃疾患発症の予防につながるという知見が得られる可能性があり、大変意義深いものであると考えている。