Helicobacter pylori: a sexually transmitted bacterium?

INTRODUCTION

Oral sex (fellatio) is a very common sexual activity. H. pylori is mainly a gastric organism, but studies have reported that infected individuals may permanently or transiently carry H. pylori in their mouth and saliva.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A Pubmed search was conducted using the words infection, oral sex and urethritis.

RESULTS

The existing studies support the hypothesis that H. pylori could be a causative agent of non-gonococcal urethritis.

CONCLUSIONS

It is possible that H. pylori may be transmitted via the act of fellatio in the urethra. Further research is required to explore the role of H. pylori in sexually transmitted urethritis.