title: Investigation of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in Periodontitis or Gingivitis Patients in Kayseri.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in periodontitis and gingivitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of 107 periodontitis patients and 68 gingivitis patients. Bacterial plaque samples were collected with a curette from the deepest pocket in each quadrant and placed into separate tubes containing sterile 0.9% saline solution. Samples were examined at a magnification of ×400 by light microscopy. Cultivation for T. tenax was performed using the same samples, and the cultures were examined after 48 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  E. gingivalis was present in the samples from 38 periodontitis patients, whereas T. tenax was present in samples from only 3 periodontitis patients. Both E. gingivalis and T. tenax were found together in the samples from 2 periodontitis patients. In total, 22 and 2 gingivitis patients were found to be infected with E. gingivalis and with T. tenax, respectively. Only 1 gingivitis patient was found to be infected with both E. gingivalis and T. tenax.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our study, oral protozoa were found in a high percentage in periodontitis and gingivitis patients. We believe that the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax should be determined via new studies and, in particular, the protection principles should be complied with.
authors.affiliation: Erciyes Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, Kayseri, Türkiye. syazar@erciyes.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Süleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yazar
authors.forename: Ülfet
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Çetinkaya
authors.forename: Berna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamamcı
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alkan
authors.forename: Yıldıray
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Şişman
authors.forename: Çağrı
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Esen
authors.forename: Melike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kolay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004747:Entamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014244:Trichomonas / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014245:Trichomonas Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult