Article Type
Article
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative microaerophilic bacterium that infects nearly half of the world's population and is well known for its role in chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. In recent years, increasing attention has been directed toward the oral cavity as a possible extra-gastric reservoir for H. pylori. The organism has been detected in dental plaque, saliva, periodontal pockets, and oral mucosal surfaces, suggesting a potential involvement in oral diseases and recurrent gastric infection. The ability of H. pylori to survive within the oral environment is largely attributed to a variety of virulence factors, including urease, flagella, outer membrane proteins, cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), and vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA). These factors contribute to bacterial colonization, persistence, tissue damage, and modulation of host immune responses. H. pylori also influences both innate and adaptive immunity through the induction of inflammatory cytokines and the alteration of immune cell functions. This review discusses the current evidence regarding oral colonization by H. pylori, its major virulence determinants, and the immunological mechanisms involved in host-pathogen interactions. Understanding these processes may improve our knowledge of the relationship between oral and gastric infections and the potential significance of the oral cavity in H. pylori persistence.
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori, Oral health, Oral cavity, Dental plaque, Virulence factors, CagA, VacA, Immune modulation, Oral microbiome, Host-Pathogen interaction
Recommended Citation
Al-Joubori, Thariat Abdualrahman
(2026)
"Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Oral Health: Virulence Mechanisms and Host Immune Modulation,"
Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13:
Iss.
4, Article 13.
Available at:
https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss4/13
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
