Oral parasitic protozoan Entamoeba gingivalis in periodontal disease patients, northeastern Thailand.

Entamoeba gingivalis is present in the oral cavity of humans and is associated with periodontal disease. Consequently, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the E. gingivalis infection and the associated risk factors among individuals suffering from periodontal conditions. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out within a cohort of periodontal patients. Dental plaque specimens were meticulously collected and subsequently subjected to thorough examination using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based technique targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SrRNA) gene of the organism. The occurrence of risk factors for E. gingivalis infection was analyzed by the chi-square test and binary logistic regression. Out of the 230 participants, 60 were clinically diagnosed with periodontitis, while 170 were afflicted with gingivitis. Out of the 230 patients, 25 (10.9%) tested positive for E. gingivalis infections. An in-depth analysis unveiled that a significant majority of infections were recorded within subgroups characterized by a marital status (15.45%), manifestation of periodontitis (25.00%), and concomitant presence of underlying disease (20.83%). Furthermore, the high risk factor associated with E. gingivalis infection was the female (ORadj = 13.65, 95% CI = 1.08-173.21), followed by periodontitis (ORadj = 3.30, 95% CI = 1.21-9.00), respectively. The study employs a molecular diagnostic approach to screen for E. gingivalis enrichment within a subset of periodontal patients with advancing disease. The findings emphasize the necessity for further research to elucidate the pathogenesis of E. gingivalis and advocate for vigilant surveillance within a substantial population of periodontal patients.

Prevalence of two Entamoeba gingivalis ST1 and ST2-kamaktli subtypes in the human oral cavity under various conditions.

Advances in molecular biology have facilitated analyses of the oral microbiome; however, the parasites role is poorly understood. Periodontal disease is a multifactorial process involving complex interactions among microorganisms, the host, and environmental factors. At present, the precise composition of the mouth parasites microbiota is unclear. Two protozoan species have been detected in the oral microbiota: Trichomonas tenax and Entamoeba gingivalis, and a new variant, E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli, was recently identified by us. In this study, both E. gingivalis and the new E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli variant were detected in the oral cavities of people with healthy periodontium, individuals undergoing orthodontic treatment, and patients with periodontal disease. In the group with healthy periodontium, the prevalence of E. gingivalis-ST1 was 48.6% and that of E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli 29.5%, with a combined prevalence of 54.3%. In patients undergoing orthodontics treatment, 81.2% carried both amoebas, with 47.5% having E. gingivalis-ST1 and 73.8% E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli. In people with periodontal disease, the prevalence of E. gingivalis-ST1 was 57.8%, and that of E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli 50.0%, with a combined prevalence of 73.5%; hence, E. gingivalis-ST1 and E gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli were detected in all three groups. The question arises, what are E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli doing in the oral cavity? Although, the answer remains unclear, our results suggest that each amoeba subtype is genetically distinct, and they exhibit different patterns of infectious behavior. We hypothesize that E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli may represent separate species. Our data contribute to better understanding of the roles of E. gingivalis-ST1 and E. gingivalis-ST2-kamaktli in the oral microbiota.

Trichomonas tenax and periodontal diseases: a concise review.

Periodontal diseases (gingivitis and periodontitis), result from a disruption of the host-oral microbiome homoeostasis. Whereas the pathological role of some specific bacterial strains during periodontal diseases is well documented, the impact of parasites in periodontium pathophysiology is still under debate. This review aims to collect data about the prevalence and the potential role of Trichomonas tenax during periodontal diseases. Data from 47 studies revealed that T. tenax prevalence in diseased periodontium ranged from 0 to 94·1%. The prevalence of oral protozoan infections was found to be largely greater in patients with periodontal diseases than with healthy periodontium. The parasite detection was mainly performed by direct microscopy. Trichomonas tenax presence was clearly correlated with periodontal disease. The high heterogeneity of its periodontal prevalence may be correlated with the diversity of the population screened (age, sex, systemic diseases), and the methods used for diagnosis. This protozoan seems to have the capacity to be involved in the inflammatory process of gum disease. Animal experimentation, using relevant physiopathological models of periodontitis, needs to be performed to investigate the ability of T. tenax to cause and/or worsen the disease. Further investigations using standardized experimental designs of epidemiologic studies are also needed.

The Prevalence of Canine Oral Protozoa and Their Association with Periodontal Disease.

Periodontal disease is one of the most important health concerns for companion animals. Research into canine forms of periodontitis has focused on the identification and characterization of the bacterial communities present. However, other microorganisms are known to inhabit the oral cavity and could also influence the disease process. A novel, broad spectrum 18S PCR was developed and used, in conjunction with next-generation sequencing analyses to target the identification of protists. Trichomonas sp. and Entamoeba sp. were identified from 92 samples of canine plaque. The overall prevalence of trichomonads was 56.52% (52/92) and entamoebae was 4.34% (4/92). Next-generation sequencing of pooled healthy, gingivitis, early-stage periodontitis, and severe periodontitis samples revealed the proportion of trichomonad sequences to be 3.51% (health), 2.84% (gingivitis), 6.07% (early periodontitis), and 35.04% (severe periodontitis), respectively, and entamoebae to be 0.01% (health), 0.01% (gingivitis), 0.80% (early-stage periodontitis), and 7.91% (severe periodontitis) respectively. Both genera of protists were statistically associated with plaque from dogs with periodontal disease. These findings provide the first conclusive evidence for the presence of oral protozoa in dog plaque and suggest a possible role for protozoa in the periodontal disease process.

Canine Trichomonas tenax mandibular gland infestation.

BACKGROUND: Several species of trichomonads are intestinal or urogenital parasites of humans and animals, with only a few species typically being located in the oral cavity. The prevalence of oral trichomoniasis in dogs is approximately 15-25 %, although the prevalence varies among different populations and depends on age, sex and the health of the oral cavity. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of mandibular gland infestation by trichomonads in a 13-year-old female Dachshund with advanced periodontal disease and oral trichomoniasis is reported. The dog was referred due to a history of a painless swelling over the left submandibular region that increased in size over time. Based on physical and ultrasound examinations, a final diagnosis of mandibular gland cyst was established and transcutaneous needle aspiration was carried out. Numerous mobile trophozoites of trichomonads were found by microscopy and culturing for trichomonas was performed. The species was finally characterized as Trichomonas tenax by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that T. tenax can be found in humans in atypical locations such as the salivary glands and upper and lower respiratory tracts. According to our knowledge this is the first report of T. tenax being present in the salivary glands of a dog. Because of the relatively high prevalence of trichomoniasis in dogs with periodontal diseases, these parasites should be considered together with bacterial and viral agents in salivary gland infections, especially in individuals with compromised oral health.

Periodontal disease and its relationship with preterm labor and/or newborns with low birth weight / A doença periodontal e sua relação com o parto prematuro e/ou recém-nascidos com baixo peso ao nascer

Objective - To establish a relationship between the periodontal disease and premature birth babies and/or low birth weight babies, to determine that the periodontal disease may be an independent risk factor for these conditions. Methods - Forty-two pregnant women who attended the prenatal visits at Cruz de Malta Assistance Center (Brazil) were enrolled in this study. Each woman was submitted to a questionnaire and to a comprehensive periodontal exam. From the periodontal exam the pregnant women were assigned into two groups. Results - The first group was composed by periodontal disease (n=18) with an average pregnancy period of 36 weeks and newborns with weight average values of 3.210 Kg ± 0.490 Kg. The second group was composed by women without periodontal disease (n=24) who presented an average pregnancy period of 35 weeks and 5 days ± 3 days and newborns with weight average values of 2.920 Kg ± 0.510 Kg. The other risk factors cited above were also evaluated. Conclusion - It was possible to conclude through this present study that the periodontal disease did not interfere in a negative way neither on the pregnancy time nor on the newborn weight. Thus it cannot be classified as an independent risk factor for preterm labors and/or newborns with low birth weight babies.

Objetivo - Estabelecer uma relação entre a doença periodontal e bebês prematuros ao nascimento e/ou bebês de baixo peso, para determinar que a doença periodontal pode ser um fator de risco independente para essas condições. Métodos - Quarenta e duas mulheres grávidas que participaram das consultas pré-natais no Centro Assistencial Cruz de Malta (Brasil) foram incluídos neste estudo. Cada mulher foi submetida a um questionário e de um exame abrangente periodontal. A partir do exame periodontal as gestantes foram divididas em dois grupos. Resultados - O primeiro grupo foi composto por doença periodontal (n=18) com um período de gestação média de 36 semanas e recém-nascidos com peso valores médios de 3,210 kg ± 0,490 kg. O segundo grupo foi composto por mulheres sem doença periodontal (n=24), que apresentou um período de gestação média de 35 semanas e 5 dias ± 3 dias e recém-nascidos com peso valores médios de 2,920 kg ± 0,510 kg. Os outros fatores de risco citados acima também foram avaliados. Conclusão - Foi possível concluir através deste estudo que a doença periodontal não interferiu de forma negativa nem sobre o tempo de gravidez, nem no peso ao nascer. Assim, não pode ser classificado como um fator de risco independente para partos pré-termo e/ou recém-nascidos com baixo peso ao nascer.

Alzheimer's disease - a neurospirochetosis. Analysis of the evidence following Koch's and Hill's criteria.

It is established that chronic spirochetal infection can cause slowly progressive dementia, brain atrophy and amyloid deposition in late neurosyphilis. Recently it has been suggested that various types of spirochetes, in an analogous way to Treponema pallidum, could cause dementia and may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we review all data available in the literature on the detection of spirochetes in AD and critically analyze the association and causal relationship between spirochetes and AD following established criteria of Koch and Hill. The results show a statistically significant association between spirochetes and AD (P = 1.5 × 10-17, OR = 20, 95% CI = 8-60, N = 247). When neutral techniques recognizing all types of spirochetes were used, or the highly prevalent periodontal pathogen Treponemas were analyzed, spirochetes were observed in the brain in more than 90% of AD cases. Borrelia burgdorferi was detected in the brain in 25.3% of AD cases analyzed and was 13 times more frequent in AD compared to controls. Periodontal pathogen Treponemas (T. pectinovorum, T. amylovorum, T. lecithinolyticum, T. maltophilum, T. medium, T. socranskii) and Borrelia burgdorferi were detected using species specific PCR and antibodies. Importantly, co-infection with several spirochetes occurs in AD. The pathological and biological hallmarks of AD were reproduced in vitro by exposure of mammalian cells to spirochetes. The analysis of reviewed data following Koch's and Hill's postulates shows a probable causal relationship between neurospirochetosis and AD. Persisting inflammation and amyloid deposition initiated and sustained by chronic spirochetal infection form together with the various hypotheses suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of AD a comprehensive entity. As suggested by Hill, once the probability of a causal relationship is established prompt action is needed. Support and attention should be given to this field of AD research. Spirochetal infection occurs years or decades before the manifestation of dementia. As adequate antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapies are available, as in syphilis, one might prevent and eradicate dementia.

Incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in samples of dental biofilm and saliva from patients with periodontal disease / Incidência de Entamoeba gingivalis e Trichomonas tenax em amostras de biofilme e saliva de pacientes com doença periodontal

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in samples of dental biofilm and saliva from patients with gingivitis / periodontitis and in healthy subjects. METHODS: Biofilm and saliva samples were taken from 20 patients with gingivitis, 22 with periodontitis and 9 healthy individuals. They were spread on sterile Petri dishes, diluted with saline and examined with a light microscope. Salivary pH was determined by universal pH indicators trips. The chi-square test was used to determine significance (p<0.05). RESULTS: Almost one-third (31.37 percent) (50 percent from gingivitis and 50 percent from periodontitis) of the biofilm samples and 35.29 percent (39 percent from gingivitis and 61 percent from periodontitis) of the saliva samples were positive for Entamoeba gingivalis. Trichomonas tenax was found in 22.53 percent of the biofilm samples (16.66 percent from gingivitis, 41.67 percent from periodontitis and 41.67 percent from healthy patients) and 9.81 percent of the saliva samples (20 percent from gingivitis, 40 percent from periodontitis and 40 percent from healthy patients).The presence of these microorganisms was related to the type of periodontal disease (p=0.001), but not with age (p=0.178) or risk factors (p=0.194). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Entamoeba gingivalis more common in the early stages of periodontitis, while Trichomonas tenax is considered a protozoan of the gingival sulcus. However, further studies are needed to determine the relationship between these species and periodontitis.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a incidência de Entamoeba gingivalis e Trichomonas tenax em amostras de biofilme dental e saliva de pacientes com gengivite/periodontite e de indivíduos saudáveis. MÉTODOS: Amostras de saliva e biofilme foram obtidas de 20 pacientes com gengivite, 22 com periodontite e 9 indivíduos saudáveis. O material foi depositado em placas de Petri e diluído em soro fisiológico para posterior observação. O pH das amostras de saliva foi determinado com fitas indicadoras de pH. Os dados foram tratados por teste qui-quadrado (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Foi observada positividade para Entamoeba gingivalis em 31,37 por cento das amostras de biofilme (50,00 por cento com gengivite e 50,00 por cento com periodontite) e 35,29 por cento de saliva (39,00 por cento gengivite e 61,00 por cento periodontite). Foi observado o Trichomonas tenax em 22,53 por cento das amostras de biofilme (16,66 por cento gengivite, 41,67 por cento periodontite, e 41,67 por cento saudáveis) e 9,81 por cento de saliva (20,00 por cento gengivite, 40,00 por cento periodontite, e 40,00 por cento saudáveis). A presença de parasitas esteve relacionada ao tipo de doença periodontal (p=0,001), mas não a idade (p=0,178) e a fatores de risco (p=0,194). CONCLUSÃO: Estes achados sugerem que a Entamoeba gingivalis aparece mais em estágios iniciais da periodontite, enquanto que o Trichomonas tenax é considerado um protozoário do sulco gengival. Contudo, outros estudos são necessários para determinar a relação entre essas espécies e a periodontite.

[The investigation of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in a group of patients with periodontal disease]. / Periodontal Hastaligi Bulunan Kisilerde Dis Eti Plaklarinda Entamoeba gingivalis ve Trichomonas tenax Arastirilmasi.

The oral cavity is suitable for invasion of many microorganisms. Entamoeba gingivalis (E.gingivalis) and Trichomonas tenax (T.tenax) settle in the oral cavity of patients with poor oral hygiene and gingival disease. In the present study, two slide specimens were prepared from the cole region of the teeth of 46 persons for investigation of the parasites. One of the slide specimens was dried in the air while the other one put into fixative and they were stained with trichrome and Giemsa stains. The two staining methods were used for 36 samples and only Giemsa, for 10 samples. E. gingivalis was positive in 7 (19.44%) out of 36 samples stained by the trichrome stain while T. tenax was positive in one (2.17%) out of 46 samples stained by Giemsa stain. Parasitic infections were found to be positive in seven (21.2%) specimen from 33 patients with periodontal disease and in one (7.69%) specimen from 13 healthy controls. Dental policlinics are generally far from parasitology laboratories and microscopical wet mount examination can not be performed. Therefore dentists can send the specimens and have the parasites diagnosed with Giemsa and trichrome staining methods as an alternative to wet mount examination.

Prevalence of oral Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in patients with periodontal disease and healthy population in Shiraz, southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: It was shown that two parasites of Entamoeba gingivalis (E. gingivalis) and Trichomonas tenax (T. tenax) may be responsible for oral parasitic infection. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of these parasites in oral cavity of patients with periodontal disease and in healthy population in Shiraz, Southern Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients with periodontal disease (case group) and 50 subjects with healthy gingiva (control group) entered in the present study. A questionnaire recorded general health, smoking habits, and any history of antibiotic consumption during the last six months for each patient. In the case group, saliva was collected by sterile swab and the gingival crevicular fluid by the paper point. The plaque and calculi were collected by sterile curette and scaler. In the control group, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were collected and sent to laboratory for further studies. RESULTS: In the case group, nine patients were infected, six with E. gingivalis and three with T. tenax. Seven patients had mobility of the teeth, one patient was smoker and five had previous history of antibiotic consumption. In the control group, only one subject was infected with E. gingivalis without any history of smoking and antibiotic consumption. CONCLUSION: Parasitic infections are relatively common in patients with periodontal disease. It seems that follow-up of instructions are essential in control of parasitic infection in Southern Iran.

Oral myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax treated nonsurgically with nitrofurazone: report of 2 cases.

Accidental oral myiasis are caused by ingestion of fly's eggs or direct oviposition over a compromised area of the host. Here the authors report 2 cases of accidental oral myiasis caused by direct oviposition over an edentulous area in the first patient and in the periodontium in the second patient. Both cases were treated successfully with topical applications of nitrofurazone during a 3-day period. No surgical procedures were required. Flushing the wound with nitrofurazone caused the maggots to endure a liquid-filled anaerobic environment. Healing was uneventful in the 2 cases presented and no adverse reactions were observed during the treatment after 2 months of follow-up. The maggots of both patients were identified as Cochliomyia hominivorax.

Oral myiasis by screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax.

We report a rare case of periodontal myiasis by New World screwworm Cochliomyia hominivorax, an obligatory larval parasite, in a 66-year-old woman. The myiasis occurred in the anterior upper jaw associated with a pre-existent generalised periodontitis. About 40 larvae were removed from the lesion. One week later the periodontal tissues were healing normally and the patient was referred to a periodontist. As all of the larvae were in the last stage, they were probably deposited 5-7 days before.

[Experimental study on the pathogenesis of Entamoeba gingivalis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of Entamoeba gingivalis (E. g.) and its relation to periodontal diseases. METHODS: Rats were treated with immuno-inhibitor for one week and the neck of incisor teeth of the rats was bound with steel wire. They were randomly divided into three groups: the first group was infected by E. g. in the periodontal tissue, the second group was infected by symbiotic bacteria (s. b.), and the third group was given physiological saline as control. Observation on the periodontal inflammation was made for each group of rats, and the purulent secretion from periodontal abscess was examined for living pathogens. RESULTS: The incidence of periodontal diseases in rats infected by E. g. was higher than that of symbiotic bacteria group and that of control (P < 0.05), the incidence of periodontal diseases in rats infected by s. b. was higher than that of control group (P < 0.05). Living pathogens were found in the abscess liquid. CONCLUSION: E. g. is an opportunistic pathogen, which, together with synergistic symbiotic bacteria, can cause periodontal diseases in hosts with low immunity.

Risk indicators for periodontal diseases in Guatemalan adolescents.

A random sample of sixty-two 11-15-year-old adolescents from 17 different locations in Guatemala were selected for this study. Pocket depth, Plaque Index, and bleeding upon probing were recorded from 6 randomly selected sites in each subject (a total of 372 sites). Subgingival plaque samples were subsequently collected from these sites and processed by several assays. For cost reasons, in each pair of sites different assays were performed as follows: sites #1, #2--BANA test for T. denticola, P. gingivalis, B. forsythus and screening of plaque samples with polyclonal antibodies (ELISA system) for A. actinomycetemcomitans; sites #3, #4--detection of yeasts by SAB agar; sites #5, #6--detection of Entamoeba gingivalis by the Heidenhain iron hematoxylin modified technique. A total of 66% of the children had at least one site that bled upon probing, 42% exhibited at least one site with pocket depth > 3 mm, and 79% exhibited a high Plaque Index, with the percent of sites affected being 30%, 12% and 41%, respectively. In sites #1, #2 (N = 124), the BANA test assay and A. actinomycetemcomitans tested positive in 77% and 47% of the children accounting for 59% and 31% of the sites, respectively. In sites #3, #4 (N = 124), yeasts were detected in 43% of the children and 29% of the sites. In sites #5, #6 (N = 124), Entamoeba gingivalis was detected in 21% of the children and in 11% of the sites. The risk for severe gingival inflammation and/or increased probing depth was 1.5 and 5.2 times higher if a positive BANA test or A. actinomycetemcomitans test was found in a particular site. No associations could be found for yeasts and Entamoeba gingivalis.

Entamoeba gingivalis in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients with periodontal disease.

Necrotic periodontal disease is a progressive painful oral lesion in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients, and the etiology is unknown. Earlier studies of HIV-1-infected patients have shown significant changes in the viral and fungal oral microflora. The aim of this study was to relate the occurrence of protozoa to clinical symptoms and immunosuppression. Oral symptoms were registered in 45 patients at different stages of the HIV-1 infection and in 15 HIV-seronegative healthy controls. Saliva and dental plaque were analyzed for the presence of protozoa. Entamoeba gingivalis was the only protozoa found in the oral cavities of HIV-1-infected patients with periodontal disease. Its presence was not related to the degree of immunodeficiency but to the HIV diagnosis. This study describes for the first time the findings of E. gingivalis in the oral cavities of HIV-1 infected patients.

Detection and identification of Entamoeba gingivalis by specific amplification of rRNA gene.

A pair of oligonucleotide primers were designed from the nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SrRNA) of the oral protozoan parasite Entamoeba gingivalis. The primers amplified a 1.4-kb DNA fragment by polymerase chain reaction and were specific for Entamoeba gingivalis but not for other protozoa, oral protists and bacteria, or human leukocytes. With this method, the DNA from as few as 30 cells of Entamoeba gingivalis could be detected. These results suggest that this approach is applicable to the detection and identification of Entamoeba gingivalis in the human oral cavity.

Estudos de freqüência, morfologia e diagnóstico de Entamoeba gingivalis, Gros, 1849 / Frequency, morphology and diagnosis studies of Entamoeba gingivalis, Gros, 1849

Entamoeba gingivalis is found only in its trophozoite form and it is postulated that its main transmission mechanism is through the kiss. E. gingivalis is considered pathogenic by some authors and commensal to others. It does not have a defined role in the installation of disease. To address some of this questions we studied a 100 patients who were seen through the Odontological Hospital from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia in order to determine its frequency in the buccal cavity. The material were collected using swabs from four different buccal sites and the smears were stained by a modified Papanicolaou technique. The results revealed positivity index of 62 per cent. The affinity of the dye to the food vacuole contents and to the ingested bacterias prevents clear visualisation of the central and peripherical chromatin constituents of the parasite's nucleus. Mouth washes with 3ml of saline from 10 patients, were used to evaluate which parasitological method of diagnosis (fresh, iron-haematoxylin stained, Giemsa and Papanicolaou) gives better visualisation of the parasite. The mouth washes sediment from fresh material revealed 100 per cent of positivity and clear visualisation of the free form and locomotion of the trophozoites. No stained technique of the smear showed adequate visualisation, presenting the nucleus partially covered by the food vacuoles. In stained preparations by toluidine blue ultrastructure analysis of the morphology of parasite can be observed.

[Incidence, morphology and diagnostic studies of Entamoeba gingivalis, Gros, 1849]. / Estudos de freqüência, morfologia e diagnóstico de Entamoeba gingivalis, Gros, 1849.

Entamoeba gingivalis is found only in its trophozoite form and it is postulated that its main transmission mechanism is through the kiss. E. gingivalis is considered pathogenic by some authors and commensal to others. It does not have a defined role in the installation of disease. To address some of this questions we studied a 100 patients who were seen through the Odontological Hospital from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia in order to determine its frequency in the buccal cavity. The material were collected using swabs from four different buccal sites and the smears were stained by a modified Papanicolaou technique. The results revealed positivity index of 62%. The affinity of the dye to the food vacuole contents and to the ingested bacterias prevents clear visualisation of the central and peripherical chromatin constituents of the parasite's nucleus. Mouth washes with 3ml of saline from 10 patients, were used to evaluate which parasitological method of diagnosis (fresh, iron-haematoxylin stained, Giemsa and Papanicolaou) gives better visualisation of the parasite. The mouth washes sediment from fresh material revealed 100% of positivity and clear visualisation of the free form and locomotion of the trophozoites. No stained technique of the smear showed adequate visualisation, presenting the nucleus partially covered by the food vacuoles. In stained preparations by toluidine blue ultrastructure analysis of the morphology of parasite can be observed.

[Search for convergence between values of indicators for evaluating oral cavity status as recommended by WHO and presence of fungi or Trichomonas tenax]. / Poszukiwanie zbieznosci miedzy wartosciami wskazników oceny stanu jamy ustnej zalecanych przez who a obecnoscia grzybów lub Trichomonas tenax.

There is a lack in the literature of publications analyzing values of indicators for evaluation of oral cavity status, namely: PUW number (cariogenic indicator), Russell's indicator (changes in the paradontium) and Greene-Vermillion indicator (hygiene) recommended by WHO. This prompted the study for search of convergence between values of listed indicators and presence of fungi in ontocenosis of oral cavity in patients reporting to the stomatologist because of several reasons. Among 355 patients in oral cavity of whom presence of fungi was detected, the highest frequency of this invasion was noted in patients with diseases of the paradontium, while lowest percentage was noted in patients with confirmed caries. Convergence between values of tested indicators and presence of fungi was evaluated by application of convergence coefficient of Yule and the Pearson's test (Chi2). No significant correlation between presence of fungi and changes in the oral cavity was found.