Prevalence of the Helicobacter pylori in the tonsils and adenoids.

INTRODUCTION There is an ongoing debate about the existence and effects of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in adenotonsillar tissue. OBJECTIVE A clinical study was conducted to assess the existence of Hp in the adenoid and/or adenotonsillar tissues, which were surgically excised due to chronic adenotonsillitis. METHODS Phosphoglucosamine mutase gene for the detection of Hp and cytotoxin-associated gene as virulence gene were examined in 84 adenotonsillar tissues obtained from 64 patients and patients' serum by using polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Hp IgG was detected in 57 (89%) patients' serum. A total of seven tissue samples from 64 patients (10.9%) were found positive for Hp DNA, of which five were adenoids and two were tonsil tissues. All polymerase chain reaction positive samples were also positive for the cytotoxin-associated gene, which is a virulence determinant for the organism. CONCLUSION This study suggests that children are exposed to Hp at an early age of their life in this province. Hp may have a role in the pathogenesis of chronic adenotonsillitis, especially in endemic areas.