Investigation of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in gingivitis and periodontitis patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in periodontitis and gingivitis patients and their distribution according to some risk factors. METHODS: The study was conducted on a total of 120 people, including 40 patients with periodontitis, 40 patients with gingivitis, and 40 healthy individuals as a control group. Scraping samples taken from mandibular right incisal region, maxillary right sulcus region and maxillary right palatal cervical regions were examined under a light microscope for E. gingivalis and T. tenax. RESULTS: Prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax among all individuals was 44.2% and 5.5%, respectively. The prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax among gingivitis patients was 47.5% and 7.5%, respectively, while in the control group both parasites were detected in 5% of the individuals with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). The prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax with periodontitis patients and control groups was 80%, 10% and 20%, 3.8% respectively. Statistically significant difference was determined among these groups (P < 0.05). While E. gingivalis and T. tenax were found in 51%, 8.8% in patients with gingivitis and periodontitis, their prevalence in the control group was 5%, 0% respectively. A statistically significant difference among groups for the presence of E. gingivalis was observed (P < 0.05), while the difference among groups for T.tenax was no significant (P > 0.05). No significant relationship between the presence of E. gingivalis or T.tenax and oral location was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that both E. gingivalis and T. tenax were significantly more prevalent in individuals with periodontitis and gingivitis compared to the healthy controls, while demographic factors such as age, gender, and educational level showed no significant association with the presence of these protozoa.