Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Nearly 73% of the Chilean population is infected with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a factor predisposing for gastric cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of this pathogen within yeasts, suggesting that this fact can directly influence the failure of a treatment, transmission, and reinfection. AIM: To detect the presence of H. pylori inside oral yeasts isolated from students of the University of Concepción (Chile). METHODS: 72 samples, obtained from the oral cavity using cotton swabs were incubated in YPD broth for 48h at 37oC and posteriorly seeded in Sabouraud Dextrose agar plus chloramphenicol at the same temperature and for the same time. Yeasts isolated were observed microscopically (wet mounting and Gram-stained) and identified using microbiological techniques. Intracellular H. pylori detection was performed by the amplification of 16S rDNA by PCR. RESULTS: Oral yeasts were detected in 24 samples (33.3%), being C. albicans (79.2%) the most frequent species, followed by C. dubliniensis (12.4%), C. krusei (4.2%), and C. tropicalis (4.2%). When analyzed by PCR, 15 of the 24 oral yeasts 62.5 % were positive for H. pylori 16S rDNA. From the 15 individuals positive for yeast harboring H. pylori, 81% of them reported stomach discomfort, and the presence of the bacteria was diagnosed at some moment in 20% of them. CONCLUSION: The intracellular presence of the H. pylori in oral yeasts suggests an endosymbiotic relationship of these microorganisms, which could favor H. pylori transmission and reinfection in the gastrointestinal tract.