[Entamoeba gingivalis infection among college students in Tangshan].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis infection in college students in Tangshan, and analyze the relationship between the infection and human behaviors.


METHODS
551 students of grades 1-3 from six colleges in Tangshan received questionnairing, which covered the oral health state, teeth-brushing, xylitol gum-chewing, diet fondness, and smoking. Specimens were taken from the tooth surface of the lesion or fouling materials by using disinfected toothpicks and the smears were observed microscopically to examine Entamoeba gingivalis infection.


RESULTS
The prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis infection was 28.3% (156/551), 30.4% (55/181) and 24.6% in males and females (91/370) respectively (chi2=2.09, P>0.05). The prevalence in students with or without oral disorders was 41.2% (84/204) and 20.8% (72/347) respectively, with a significant statistical difference (chi2=26.41, P<0.01); it was 22.5% (53/236) and 32.7% (103/315) among students who cleaned their teeth regularly or irregularly (chi2=6.97, P<0.01); it was 18.3% (17/93) and 30.4% (139/458) among those usually with or without chewing xylitol gum (chi2=5.55, P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Entamoeba gingivalis infection is common in the college students in Tangshan and it has a close relation to the oral hygiene habits and the presence of oral disorders.
Huang
Wan
W
Laboratory of Medical Examination, Biosciences Department of North China Coal Medical University, Tangshan 063000, China.
Shi
Jian-ling
JL
Li
Chun-lei
CL
Chen
Bin
B
Shao
Li-jia
LJ
Chen
Li
L
Hao
Feng
F
Ding
Lei
L
Tian
Xi-feng
XF
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D013334:Students