Frequency and risk factors of H. pylori infection among dental students: an observational cross

Scientific Reports volume 13, Article number: 14264 (2023) Cite this article

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Despite Helicobacter pylori infection remains asymptomatic in most people, it is associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer. Considering Egypt had the highest prevalence of H. pylori in healthy asymptomatic population in adults and pediatric age in past studies and currently salivary ELISA could be used for diagnosis of Oral H. pylori infection. Moreover, some researchers speculated that dentists and dental students might be at a higher risk for oral H. pylori infection because they are the most frequently exposed ones to saliva and dental plaque. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with frequency of H. pylori among a sample of dental students for better management of the disease. 83 participants, with age (21–25 years), attending Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University were recruited. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic parameters and risk factors for H. pylori. Direct inquiry about dyspeptic symptoms were done. Saliva samples were collected and tested for H. pylori antibodies. Overall seroprevalence was 22.9%. Participants in internship were more prone to be positive (p = 0.005). 32.6% of urban residents versus 10.8% of rural were H. pylori positive (p = 0.019). 75.0% of previous history of H. pylori infection versus 14.1% of those with no history were H. pylori positive p < 0.001. 70% of positive H. pylori participants reported positive clinical symptoms that were statistically significant. This study suggests that middle income, previous history of H. pylori and clinical symptoms of dyspepsia are risk factors of oral H. pylori with a decline in its prevalence in Egypt.

The microaerophilic, rod shaped, gram negative, Campylobacterales member Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is causative agent and key factor in the development of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer1. H. pylori is one of the primary causes of infection-attributable cancer cases worldwide in accordance to a sub-analysis of the 2018 Global Burden of Disease survey2. Martel et al.3 emphasized that most individuals will likely get H. pylori at least once throughout their lives.

Despite the exact route of transmission of H. pylori is not exactly known, it is considered to be contagious4. In addition, researchers have been concerned with the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity since it is the first component of the gastrointestinal system. Some researchers even speculated that oral-oral transmission route is the most likely transmission pathway because DNA of H. pylori had been detected in several body fluids, including vomit, dental plaque, saliva and gastric secretions1. Accordingly, the oral cavity may act as a reservoir for H. pylori bacteria. For this reason, its detection in oral cavity samples has been recommended as a diagnostic test5.

Considering dentists are the most frequently exposed ones to the infected oral contents such as saliva and dental plaque, therefore studies were done to compare the detection frequency of oral H. pylori among dentists. Liu et al.6 observed a higher H. pylori frequency among the dentists than the nondentists. Also, Lin et al.7 that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in dentists, dental nurses, fifth year dental students and first year dental students were 23%, 18%, 18%and 16%, respectively. They concluded that dentists are at a higher risk for H. pylori infection, and intensive attention should be paid to this issue.

Evaluating and correlating the presence of H. pylori antibodies from the saliva of three groups (30 infants, 30 adolescents (dental students), and 30 elderly individuals) with varied living conditions. Infants showed 23 positive results, 3 negative results and 4 equivalent. Age group between 20 and 25 showed 25 positive results, 2 negative results and 3 equivalent and age group 50 and above showed 25 positive results, 1 negative results and 4 equivalent8. This observation speculated that dental students age group between 20 and 25 could be at a higher risk for oral H. pylori infection.

Once the gastric mucosa became colonized by H. pylori, its persistence could be for a lifetime, and fortunately, the immune system was able to tolerate its existence. Moreover, some favour its persistence in the stomach, but others don’t. Those with high and extremely low prevalence of H. pylori could provide useful insights on the clinical outcomes associating this infection. Adverse effects including peptic ulcer and gastric cancer depend on a delicate balance between an innocent inflammation and a severe inflammation9.

Noninvasive serologic and saliva diagnostic assays for antibodies to H. pylori are available in addition to histologic detection of the pathogen. Studies have shown that the levels of circulating immunoglobulins are almost equivalent to those of salivary immunoglobulins10. Moreover, salivary ELISA has diagnostic values comparable to serum ELISA, suggesting it might be utilized as a substitute for the latter in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection11.

The rate of H. pylori infection varies widely depending on demographic factors such as age, location, race, socioeconomic status, blood group O, high body mass index, poor hygiene, smoking, crowded living situations, the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and family history of gastric illness4. Almost over two-thirds of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori with rates as high as 80% seen in developing nations. In contrast, in industrialized nations, prevalence is declining, often to about 40%. Despite of that the majority of H. pylori infection are asymptomatic, the presence of these bacteria is linked to an elevated risk of many gastric illness, mostly notably cancer12.

According to Egyptological research on H. pylori, Egypt has the world’s highest prevalence of H. pylori among asymptomatic individuals of all ages13,14,15. Furthermore, the prevalence of H. pylori in Egypt was thought to rise in tandem with the severity of socioeconomic disadvantage, low bodymass index (BMI), rural residence and lack of formal education16. A population-based cross-sectional study performed among asymptomatic school children reported that the overall H. pylori prevalence was 72.38%. Its main risk factors are residing in an overcrowded home and socially deprived area14. Mothers of H. pylori-infected children showed higher seroprevalence (39.5%) than their siblings and fathers (37.7% and 22.8%, respectively). In a rural area, relatives with low socioeconomic level generally showed the highest seroprevalence (82.5% and 78.1%, respectively)17.

Another cross-sectional study found that H. pylori seroprevalence was significantly age-dependent: 60.6% of patients aged more than 5 years and 25.9% of patients aged less than 5 years. One of the main risk factors associated with seroprevalence was crowding in beds. The seroprevalence among children was 59.7% in case of more than 3 persons sharing a bed and 26.9% in case of fewer than 3 persons sharing a bed. A cross-sectional study carried out in Tanta City in the Nile Delta reported prevalence of about 70%, indicating that the burden of H. pylori infection is high in rural areas than in urban areas18.

Epidemiological studies showed a strong association between H. pylori and many gastroduodenal and extra-gastroduodenal diseases, namely dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, and the gastric marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue19. Moreover, cumulative evidence showed that patients on long-term antithrombotic therapy (including low-dose aspirin and long-term anticoagulation) or initiating long-term nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy should be tested for H. pylori infection and treated if tested positive to reduce the risk of ulcer bleeding20. Evidence also suggested that eradication of H. pylori could improve both idiopathic and hepatitis C-related thrombocytopenia21,22. Unexplained iron deficiency anemia improved with the eradication of H. pylori when added to the iron supplement23.

Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate frequency and to determine any possible associated risk factors of H. pylori infection among a sample of dental students (age 21–25 years) seeking Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University. Accordingly, our research question was formulated: what could be the frequency and the possible risk factors associated with Oral H. pylori among a sample of dental students?

The aim of the study and its benefits were explained to each participant with emphasis on confidentiality of the collected data. Each participant signed an informed consent before being enrolled in the study. The study was approved by the local Ethical Committee at the Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University (EC 2217).The study is complying with the Declaration of Helsinki for Medical Research involving Human Subjects.

An observational cross-sectional study.

The study was carried out at the faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt.

Using convenient consecutive sampling technique, 90 dental students were approached to participate. Participants representing the 4th, 5th academic years dental students and also internship, with age ranging from 21 to 25 years old, attending the Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University were recruited during a period of 2 months, from November to December 2022.

All the participants were assessed using a structured questionnaire to collect information on the following: age, sex, height, weight, body mass index (calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2)), nationality, native region, socioeconomic class, living conditions during childhood (childhood in rural or in urban zone), birth place, number of members of family that sleep in a room and if any of them suffered from H. pylori infection, relatives of gastric cancer, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) consumption, smoking, spicy food consumption, outdoor food consumption, also GIT involvement symptoms for all participants: upper abdominal pain (epigastric pain, burning), abdominal discomfort (flatulence, bloating), nausea/vomiting and frequent burping, diarrhea, any co-morbid diseases4 and also dental history were recorded including oral hygiene status and any oral or dental diseases.

All Participants were subjected to a screening test for anti-H. pylori namely enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA test) through collecting about 2 to 3 mL of unstimulated whole saliva from them in the saliva collecting vials and assessing them for H. pylori immunoglobulins in the clinical laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine. Those with positive results were informed of the necessity to carry out a confirmatory test (PCR) to confirm the diagnosis of H. pylori infection and seek medical management.

The primary outcome was the estimation of the frequency of H. pylori infection among a sample of dental students. The secondary outcome was the identification of the potential risk factors for H. pylori infection among these students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University.

This kit is provided by Bioassay Technology Laboratory BT LAB (Zhejiang, China) with catalogue number (ED4123Hu). This kit is based on a Qualitative reverse phase enzyme immunoassay technique. The microtiter plate has been pre-coated with a target antigen. Positive/Negative Controls or samples are added to the wells and incubate. Antibodies in the samples bind to the antigen on the plate. Unbound antibody is washed away during a washing step. A Horseradish Peroxidase (HRP) conjugated detection antibody is then added and incubate. Unbound HRP is washed away during a washing step. TMB substrate is then added and color develops. The reaction is stopped by addition of acidic stop solution and color changes into yellow that can be measured at 450 nm. The OD of an unknown sample can then be compared to the OD of the positive and negative controls in order to determine the presence of Hp Ab IgG.

Sample size is calculated based on the previous work by Lin et al.7 and Liu et al.6 the reported prevalence of H. pylori was 16%. Using power 80% and 5% significance level with 90% CI and 180 total students’ number; 81 participants were required. Sample size is calculated using Epi Info.

All the results were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 27.0 (SPSS, IBM) for Windows. Continuous variables were summarized as mean values ± standard deviation (SD) or median (range) and compared among groups using Independent t test or Mann Whitney as appropriate. Percentages were calculated for categorical data and comparison was done using Chi square and fisher exact test as appropriate.

Eighty-three participants, from which 66 were Egyptians, and 17 were non-Egyptians including 2 Jordanians, 5 Palestinians, 2 Sudanese, 7 Syrians and only 1 Yemeni. Fifty one participants (61.40%) were females. As regards the academic grade, participants from the 4th grade represented 32.50% while the 5th year and internship represented 30.10% and 37.30% respectively. All the participants were resident in Fayoum.

44.58% of our sample were living in rural zone during childhood. The majority of our participants reported medium socioeconomic status [73(88.0%)] with median one person and range from one to nine family members sleep in the same room as shown in (Table 1).

Positive history of H. pylori infection was reported by only 12 participants (14.5%). A family history of H. pylori infection was reported in two participants while gastric cancer was only recorded in 5 participants, all of whom were representing first degree relatives.

Direct inquiry using assessment questionnaire about dyspeptic symptoms was done on all the 83 enrolled participants and 21 (25.3%) of them presented with more than two of the clinical characteristics., epigastric pain/burning was the most common (25.30%; 21/83), followed by diarrhea (24.10%; 20/83), bloating (22.90%; 19/83), nausea/vomiting (21.69%; 18/83) and frequent burping (8.43%; 7/83). Of 83 participants, 19 were H. pylori positive, giving an overall frequency of 22.9% (Table 2).

Demographic characteristics (age, gender, BMI, nationality and socioeconomic status) were comparable between H. pylori positive and negative participants. Participants in internship were more prone to be positive (41.9%) in comparison to those whom were in 4th (7.4%) and 5th year (16.0%) with p value = 0.005.

Concerning the living conditions during childhood, 32.6% of urban residents versus 10.8% of rural residents were H. pylori positive and this was statistically significant (p = 0.019). Regarding previous history of H. pylori infection, 75.0% of history of H. pylori infection versus 14.1% of those with no history of H. pylori infection were positive for H. pylori ELIZA test in our study which was found to be statistically significant p < 0.001.

For H pylori positive participants about 70% or more reported positive clinical symptoms and were all statistically significant (Table 3).

Any oral or dental diseases and oral hygiene status were comparable between H. pylori positive and negative participants with no statistical significance (Table 4).

H. pylori infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections worldwide. It is considered a major threat to public health that has been linked to fatal consequences24. Confirmed cases of H. pylori infection is predicated on isolation, culture, and identification of the bacteria. Because of the difficulty and expense of this process, simpler noninvasive procedures are urgently needed especially in areas with little resources, such as rural and semiurban communities10. Salivary ELISA had diagnostic values comparable to serum ELISA, suggesting it might be utilized as a substitute for the latter in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection11.

Unfortunately, there is scarcity of published data in Egypt in the scientific literature especially concerning dentists, dental students and dental nurses. The population-based prevalence of H. pylori infection in Egypt is estimated to be between 26 and 90%19.

In the present study, we evaluated the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among dental students aged from 21 to 25 years old, attending the Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University,using saliva samples, and we found a frequency of 22.9% (24.2% of Egyptians were H. pylori positive versus 17.6% of Non-Egyptians but Arabic population) and 77.1% were H. pylori negative, which is regarded to be lower than the previously indicated prevalence range in adults in Egypt, and which may be explained by higher socioeconomic status within our research group, notwithstanding the constraints of our sample size and screening test.

Abdelmonem et al.25 also found an overall seroprevalence of H. pylori of 52% in Egypt’s Delta area. They reported a higher prevalence of H. pylori among adults than children.

In a study to detect H. pylori–related iron deficiency anemia prevalence among asymptomatic cases of anaemia in selected private laboratories in the governorates of Beheira, Alexandria and Gharbiya. 180 out of 300 cases of iron deficiency anaemia (60%) tested positive for H. pylori26. It should be noted that Hamed et al.27 also analyzed the frequency of H. pylori infection among Egyptian cirrhotic patients in Zagazig University Hospital, and it was found to be 58%. Therefore, the recent decrease in H. pylori seroprevalence rate in the present study (22.9%), which may indicate a falling H. pylori seroprevalence in Egypt which can be explained by better standards of living related to our selected study population despite the limitations of our sample size and screening test.

In comparison with other studies conducted among dentists, our rate (22.9%) was found to be higher than that reported in a cross-sectional study carried out by Liu, et al.6 who found that 7.27% of saliva samples from the nondentist group (N = 110) and 16.67% of saliva samples from the dentist group (N = 90) were oral H. pylori positive, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.292, p = 0.038). He reported that even after stratifying enrolled subjects with factors interfering with the comparison of H. pylori detection rate between groups, a higher H. pylori frequency was observed in the dentists than that in the controls. Also, Lin, et al.7 reported that the prevalence of H. pylori infection in dentists, dental nurses, fifth year dental students and first year dental students were 23%, 18%, 18%and 16%, respectively, which is considered lower than ours. This indicates that dentists and dental students (21–25 years) in Egypt are at a higher risk for H. pylori infection, and more attention should be given to H. pylori prevalence studies among them.

Comparing our rate to that of a study carried out among college students in Yuncheng in China, wherein Yu and Zhang28 found that the oral H. pylori prevalence among these students was 51.25%. In addition, our incidence was lower than that seen in a research conducted in India among 30 dental students aged 20–25, whereby Neeharika8 reported 25 positive cases from saliva samples.

We found that our prevalence rate was lower than the rates in several other countries including a study conducted in Thailand’s Khon Kaen Province, where the prevalence of H. pylori was found in the saliva of 55% of asymptomatic people between the ages of 18 and 8029. Furthermore, in 2018, the total prevalence of H. pylori in northeastern Thailand was 64% of the asymptomatic study group (aged 18–60), as detected by testing their saliva12 . Positive rates for oral H. pylori were 59.59% in Beijing, China, among asymptomatic people aged 20–4530. While, 49.6% of the population has H. pylori infection in Iran’s Shahid Beheshti hospital in Kashan11. In addition, 64.39% were H. pylori seropositive people in Cameroon, ranging in age from 35 to 7531with the limitations of our sample age range (21–25 years).

The demographic features of our research sample (including age, gender, BMI, nationality, socioeconomic level and frequency of toothbrushing) were comparable between H. pylori positive and negative participants, corroborated the findings of a research conducted in northeastern Thailand by Wongphutorn et al.12 who observed no correlation between H. pylori colonization and demographic variables such as age, gender, employment or frequency of toothbrushing. In addition, as indicated by Piroozmand et al.11 it was found no statistically significant association between age and H. pylori infection (p = 0.8).

Higher rates of positivity were seen among participants in their internship year (41.9%) compared to those in their fourth (7.4%) and fifth (16.0%) years (p = 0.005), suggesting that greater vulnerability to seropositive H. pylori develops with age. This agrees with what was proposed by Abdelmonem et al.25 who found that the seroprevalence of H. pylori was greater among adults than children.

Urbanites were more likely to test positive for H. pylori (32.6%) than rurality’s (10.8%) due to differences in their early environments, which was a statistically significant result (p = 0.019).This finding corroborated the findings of Diab et al.32 who found that 85% (51/60) of the positive H. pylori patients were from urban regions while 15% (9/60) were from rural areas. But, Awdalla et al.33 found that 28% of the urban group was H. pylori positive versus 54% in the rural group, which runs counter to our own data. Authors of this Egyptian research found a statistically significant link between H. pylori as well as sloppy hygiene practices.

Regarding previous history of H. pylori infection, 75% of history of H. pylori infection versus 14.1% of those with no history of H. pylori infection were positive for H. pylori ELIZA test in our study which was found to be statistically significant p < 0.001. This result was in line with what had been shown in other research about the frequency with which H. pylori recurrences occurred (20–26% and 22% respectively)4,10,15,16,32.

In contrast to the work of Kouitcheu Mabeku et al.31 who showed that low income and family history of gastric cancer were risk factors for H. pylori in his sample population, we discovered no statistically significant association between a family history of gastric cancer and the development of the H. pylori infections in our research.

Any oral or dental diseases and oral hygiene status were comparable between H. pylori positive and negative participants, which contradicted a research conducted on the Chinese population by Ding et al.34 who found that oral H. pylori infection is common in adult Chinese, and is significantly associated with oral diseases.

Twenty-one (25.3%) of the 83 participants who filled out the assessment questionnaire, had more than two clinical characteristics associated with dyspepsia. Epigastric pain/burning was the most common (25.30%; 21/83), followed by diarrhea (24.10%; 20/83), bloating (22.90%; 19/83), nausea/vomiting (21.69%; 18/83) and frequent burping (8.43%; 7/83). More than 70% of those who tested positive for H. pylori, also reported positive clinical symptoms; these were all statistically significant. As a result, the association between H. pylori and the clinical symptoms of the research population has been established. Epigastric discomfort or burning, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting and frequent burping are all symptoms strongly associated with H. pylori infection among the participants, corroborated the findings of Brigitte et al.4 who found that all patients experiencing upper stomach discomfort and frequent burping were infected with H. pylori.

In conclusion, results from our investigation indicated that the prevalence of H. pylori in our sample group was lower than what had been reported for population-based prevalence studies in Egypt but higher than that reported among dentists and dental students in some countries, indicating that dentists and dental students (21–25 years) in Egypt are at a higher risk for H. pylori infection, and more care should be given to this matter. People of both low and moderate incomes, previous history of H. pylori, clinical symptoms such as epigastric discomfort or burning, diarrhea, bloating, nausea or vomiting and frequent burping were risk factors for H. pylori infection amongst these people. Additionally, our research showed that there is no convincing evidence that H. pylori infection leads to an increased risk of developing oral illnesses. Therefore, more attention should be given to H. pylori prevalence studies among dentists and dental students for better understanding of its epidemiological aspects leading better management of the infection.

The data used to support the findings of this study are included in this published article.

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The authors would like to thank all the staff members of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Periodontology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University.

Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB). This study was self-funded by the authors.

Oral Medicine and Diagnosis, Department of Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt

Christine Raouf George Mikhail & Rania Hassan Shalaby

Oral Biology, Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Fayoum University, Fayoum, Egypt

Abeer Abd El Maksoud Mohamed

Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Olfat Gamil Shaker

Epidemiology and Biostatistics, NCI, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

Eman EL Desouky

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C.R.G.M. conceptualized and designed the study, carried out the analyses, interpreted the data, and drafted the initial manuscript. A.A.E.M.M., O.G.S., E.E.D., R.A.S. helped conceptualize and design the study and interpreted the data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Correspondence to Christine Raouf George Mikhail.

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Mikhail, C.R.G., Abd El Maksoud Mohamed, A., Shaker, O.G. et al. Frequency and risk factors of H. pylori infection among dental students: an observational cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 13, 14264 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41246-7

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Received: 09 March 2023

Accepted: 23 August 2023

Published: 31 August 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-41246-7

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