Background: There is evidence of detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stool of newborns and in the yeast that colonizes the oral cavity of this age group. However, there is a lack of research to confirm it. This study proposes to determine the existence of the bacteria at an early age, specifically in newborns.
Objective: To identify intracellular H. pylori in oral yeasts and to detect antigens of the bacteria in newborn stools.
Methodology: Cross-sectional and descriptive study. Samples were obtained from infants (oral swab and meconium). Identification of yeast species was performed using the following techniques: CHROMagar Candida, Germinal Tube Test and API Candida Identification System, then the yeasts were observed by light microscopy and fluorescence. Detection of H. pylori antigen in meconium and PCR were performed to amplify specific genes of the bacterium (rRNA16S, cagA, vacA s1a, vacA s1b, vacA s2, vacA m1, vacA m2 and dupA).
Results: Intracellular H. pylori was detected in yeast of the species Candida glabrata (C. glabrata) isolated from an oral swab of a newborn.
Conclusion: The results of this study evidenced the existence of intracellular H. pylori in newborns.