Risk of re-infection

[Andrew]

Hi

Just diagnosed with H. Pylori. However, as I come from a large Asian community where communal dining (with chopsticks) are common, what is the likelihood of being re-infected again?

Andrew Lee

[Helico_expert]

In my personal opinion, chance of "Re-infection" is low. H. pylori is a very slow growing and fragile organism. Compare to other fast growing organism where you can find almost everywhere, there it is difficult for H. pylori to compete. In addition, H. pylori is moderate sensitive to oxygen. So it does not survive well outside human body. Lastly, it has been shown in many study that spices like chili, garlic, onion, salt, etc kills H. pylori in vitro. So, from all the reason above, I believe it is not easy to transmit from one person to another via chopstick.

on the other hand, most of the "reinfection" cases are due to treatment failure. Because of not having a follow up checking if H. pylori was truly eradicated, many patients came back being classified as "re-infected".

[Andrew]

Thks Helicobacter Expert! I went to search the forum and noted that you have mentioned before about HP being orally transmitted, and that there is research evidence of HP detected in saliva and mouth. On the other hand, you have also mentioned that you have no success growing HP in saliva. At the same time, my Gastro doc told me that he does not know of research abt HP being detected in saliva. Can you help direct me to these research - I've not kissed my wife for a long long time :>

[Helico_expert]

Here is one of the example that H. pylori is detected in the mouth.

http://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/medicorpa/v11n4/06.pdf

Please read the article carefully.

there is not any significant association between the helicobacter pylori of the dental plaque and the stomach.
Also the dental plaque can not be used as a primary diagnostic aid for gastric infection.