Gut bacteria found in root canals

Viable Helicobacter pylori bacteria has been cultivated from root canals of children.

Although H. pylori is known to be present in the oral cavity, previous research on the bacterium’s growth, characterization, survival duration and transmission route through the oral cavity have been scarce.

In a study published in Cell Communication and Signaling, researchers examined H. pylori from the plaque and root canals of 170 deciduous teeth extracted from 54 children with endodontic infections between July 2022 and August 2023. Using selective growth techniques, polymerase chain reaction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and protein expression analysis, they sought to identify the bacteria and determine whether it was capable of surviving and proliferating within the oral cavity.

The researchers found that H. pylori was present in 32 root canals and five plaque samples. However, they were only able to cultivate live H. pylori bacteria from 28 of the root canals.

The researchers concluded that the microaerobic environment in root canals may represent a protected and transient reservoir for viable H. pylori.

Read more: Cell Communication and Signaling

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