BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a disorder distinguished by ulcers restricted to the oral mucosa. Because of the histological similarities between peptic ulcers and RAS and the identified role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in peptic ulcer, the possibility of bacterial involvement in the progression of aphthae has been suggested. Our aim was to find H. Pylori in brushed samples of oral aphthous ulcers by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. MATERIAL/METHODS: The evaluated patients were referred to the laboratory with the diagnosis of RAS from the beginning of 2001 throughout 2002 in Rasht city. We collected oral aphthous specimens by toothbrush from these patients. PCR was used to isolate H. Pylori in the samples of RAS lesions and other parts of the oral cavity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) was also done in all patients to determine IgG antibody RESULTS: We studied 50 patients with ages between 18 to 60 years (mean+/-SD: 32.38+/-11.30). Twenty-six patients (52%) had positive ELISA test and we obtained H. Pylori DNA in only one patient (2%). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, H. Pylori DNA could not be found in the aphthous ulcers of these patients, even in those with positive anti-H. Pylori antibody (IgG), and it is probable that these bacteria are not involved in recurrent oral aphthous ulcers.

Keywords: Adolescent, Antibodies, Bacterial - blood, DNA, Bacterial - analysis, Helicobacter Infections - diagnosis, Helicobacter pylori - isolation & purification, Immunoglobulin G - blood, Recurrence, Stomatitis, Aphthous - microbiology