Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Various Types of Vegetables and Salads

BACKGROUND: There is a possibility for the presence of Helicobacter pylori in vegetables due to their close contact with polluted water, soil and feces. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to detect the presence of H. pylori in vegetables and salads in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 460 vegetable and salad samples were collected and transferred immediately to the laboratory. All samples were cultured and tested for the presence of H. pylori using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. RESULTS: The results showed that 44 of 460 samples (9.56%) were positive for H. pylori using the culture method. The Polymerase Chain Reaction technique showed that 50 of 460 samples (10.86%) were positive for H. pylori. Un-washed leek, traditional salad, un-washed basil and un-washed lettuce were the most commonly contaminated samples. The presence of the bacteria in various vegetables was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vegetables are a new source of H. pylori and accurate washing of vegetables improves such contaminations.