Detection of Helicobacter pylori in oral yeasts from students of a Chilean university

Abstract

SUMMARY 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 37°C 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.

Nutrient Deficiency Promotes the Entry of Helicobacter pylori Cells into Candida Yeast Cells

“…Furthermore, the LIVE/DEAD BacLight Bacterial Viability kit allowed us to confirm the viability of H. pylori within fungal cells. These results are similar to our previous works subjecting H. pylori cells to other stressing conditions [ 30 , 35 ] and reports by Siavoshi et al [ 30 , 61 ].…”

“…Yeast cells harboring bacteria-like bodies (Y-BLBs) have been isolated from different niches, such as the oral cavity of adults and newborns, gastric biopsies, vaginal discharge from pregnant women, fruits, flowers, different foods, and insects [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. These observations led to the suggestion that the vacuoles of fungal cells constitute a specialized survival niche for H. pylori , providing protection to this pathogen when it is subjected to environmental stressing conditions [ 37 ].…”

The cross-kingdom interaction between Helicobacter pylori and Candida albicans

“…It's possible that C. albicans can act as a shelter and an oral transmission promoter for H. pylori [16,18,19]. Besides C. albicans, clinical isolates of Candida dubliniensis, C. krusei, and Candida tropicalis have also found the H. pylori internalization by amplifying the 16S rDNA of H. pylori [20,21], suggesting that this kind of interaction manner between H. pylori and yeast can occur in different species.…”

“…pylori internalization by amplifying the 16S rDNA of H . pylori [ 20 , 21 ], suggesting that this kind of interaction manner between H . pylori and yeast can occur in different species.…”

Temperatures Outside the Optimal Range for Helicobacter pylori Increase Its Harboring within Candida Yeast Cells

“…In this sense, H. pylori may remain viable within free-living amoebas isolated from water sources [32][33][34]. Another microorganism postulated as a possible shelter and transmission vehicle for H. pylori are yeasts, which are present both in humans and food [6,[35][36][37][38]. Yeasts are capable of adapting to different environmental conditions, such as deficiency of nutrients or pH and temperature fluctuations [39].…”