Oral Protozoa Entamoeba Gingivalis And Trichomonas Tenax Among Periodontitis And Gingivitis Patients In Periodontology Department Dental Section Quetta.

Background: A group of eukaryotic organisms that are either free-living or parasitic and feed on organic matter, such as microorganisms or organic detritus. This group is referred to as a polyphyletic classification. They can be found in a wide variety of patterns and sizes, ranging from an amoeba, which can vary its shape, to a paramecium, which has a fixed shape and a complicated structure. The objective was to find out the occurrence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas among Dental Patients visiting the Periodontology Department Dental Section, Sandeman, Provincial Hospital Quetta. Methods: The study design was randomized cross-sectional and conducted in the Department of Periodontology Dental Section, Sandeman Provincial Hospital Quetta, from March 2022 to February 2023. A total of 110 known cases of periodontitis and gingivitis were recruited in this study, and further to laboratory work the bacterial biofilm samples were collected from both gingivitis and periodontitis patients. The dental plaque was placed on individual glass microscope slides and a drop of saline and mixed and covered with a coverslip. The wet smear was examined immediately under 40X, and the objective for the presence and absence of motile amoebae or flagellated protozoa was recorded. . Results: out of 110 known cases of periodontitis and gingivitis 91 (83%) patients were males and 19 (17%) were females among 110 patients, 40 (36%) patients were periodontitis and 70 (64%) patients were gingivitis. Among 40 (36%) periodontitis patients 3(7.5%) were Entamoeba gingivalis and 4(10%) were Trichomonas Tenax while 70 (64%) cases of Gingivitis 20 (28%) of Entamoeba gingivalis and 1(1%) Trichomonas tenax was recorded. No patient had both species of protozoa were seen in this study. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed the frequency of occurrence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax and the state of periodontitis and gingivitis. The prevalence of E. gingivalis was higher than T. tenax. We recommended further research with a higher number of patients and may use more advanced and reliable laboratory techniques such as PCR and electron microscopy.

Case Report: Scabies Invading Gingival Tissue.

Non-plaque-induced lesions may occur on the gingiva as medical disorders or manifestations of systemic conditions. Scabies is a parasitic infection caused by Sarcoptes scabiei. Here, we present the first case of oral scabies reported in the literature located on the gingiva in a 43-year-old woman. She was admitted to the hospital complaining of an ulcerative lesion on the gingiva with unknown duration, with a suggestive diagnosis of pemphigoid. A diagnosis of scabies infestation was made based on the visualization of eggs and larvae/nymph forms. The treatment consisted of 100 mg of ivermectin (three times per day for 15 days), supplemental oral hygiene with chlorhexidine, and extensive cleaning. The follow-up was made 30 days after treatment with ivermectin. The patient did not report side effects, with skin and oral lesions completely healed. Based on this, we need to perform a thoughtful ectoscopy examination and be alert to signs that indicate unusual causes to diagnose correctly and choose the appropriate treatment.

Entamoeba gingivalis - prevalence and correlation with dental caries in children from rural and urban regions of Lublin Province, Eastern Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Entamoeba gingivalis, as the name implies. typically lives around the gumline of the teeth in the tartar and gingival pockets of the oral cavity. Pathogenicity of protozoa in the oral cavity is not completely understood. The occurrence in patients with a good state of the immune system usually does not cause any pathological changes. In the presentede survey, an increased incidence of Entamoeba gingivalis in conjunction with pathological changes in the oral cavity was found. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis in children treated in Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin and its correlation with dental caries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnostic materials in the form of swabs were obtained from 154 children in the age 2-18 years old, treated in the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Medical University in Lublin. The main index for epidemiological surveys in oral health - DMFT (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) for permanent teeth and DMFT for deciduous teeth was calculated. RESULTS: The average number of Entamoeba gingivalis in urban children was 12.84. The DMFT number in the deciduous teeth was lower in urban patients (5.0) than from rural patients (5.4). The DMFT number in the permanent teeth was lower in urban patients (3.155) than rural patients (3.98). There was no statistically significant correlation between the DMFT value and the number of Entamoeba gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Entamoeba gingivalis occurs in the oral cavity of children. 2) In the presented survey, both DMFT and dmft indexes were high which proves high activity of dental carious. 3) There was no significant statistical correlation observed between dental caries and the presence of Entamoeba gingivalis.

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.

Investigation of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in Periodontitis or Gingivitis Patients in Kayseri.

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. CONCLUSION: 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.

Growth kinetics, antigen profiling, and proteinase activity of Egyptian Trichomonas tenax isolates derived from patients having oral infections.

The role of Trichomonas tenax as a pathogen had been clearly implicated in various pathological processes that arise outside the boundaries of the mouth. Although a relationship between the increased occurrence of this protozoan and progression of periodontal disease has been demonstrated, the ability of T. tenax in causing oral infections and the precise mechanism of tissue damage is not well known. The present study aimed to investigate different isolates of T.tenax from individuals having oral infections. Plaques and/or calculi samples were collected from 70 individuals who were diagnosed as having periodontitis and/or gingivitis, then subjected to parasitological examination and culture on modified trypticase, yeast and iron medium (TYI-S-33). Isolates successfully maintained in culture were further subjected to analysis of protein profile of lysates by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and analysis of proteinases by non-denaturing gelatin-SDS-PAGE. Comparison of growth kinetics of seven T. tenax isolates showed a wide variability in the growth characteristics. Protein profiles of the seven isolates revealed a total 53 bands ranged in molecular weight (MW) from 5 to 95kDa using 12% resolution gel. Also, T. tenax isolates were found to possess 19 proteinase bands ranged in MW from 14 to 66kDa. The proteolytic bands were intensified by a cysteine proteinase activator and totally disappeared by treatment with a cysteine proteinase inhibitor suggesting that the proteinases were of cysteine proteinases type. The high frequency of T. tenax detected (28.6%) along with the variability in protein profiling and proteolytic activity of the isolates supports the possible pathogenicity of T. tenax and clarifies a conclusion that different strains with possibility of variable pathogenic potential may exist.

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.

[Investigation of the relationship between oral and dental health and presence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax]. / Agiz ve dis sagligi ile Entamoeba gingivalis ve Trichomonas tenax varligi arasindaki iliskinin arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax can cause gingivitis and scale. In this study, the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax were investigated among patients who were admitted to the Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Dentistry. METHODS: Two scraping samples were taken from 220 patients (ages varying from 12 to 75 years) and a questionnaire including fifteen parameters was applied to all patients. The samples were diluted in Physiological Saline and examined immediately by Tech Lab Entamoeba Kit and Robinson Medium. RESULTS: Oral protozoa were detected in 58 (26.4%) of 220 scraping samples. In 48 (21.8%) of the positive 58 specimens, E. gingivalis was detected alone whereas T. tenax was present in only two (1%) specimens. In 8 (3.6%) specimens, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were identified together. Gender, age groups, dental caries and the number, shape disorders, systemic diseases, tooth pain, joint problems and wisdom teeth were not found to be significant with the presence of oral protozoa. However, gum problems, presence of tartar, smoking habits, brushing habits and control habits were found to be statistically significantly related with the presence of oral protozoa. CONCLUSION: In the present study, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were found to be common. These parasites, with additional parameters, may lead to gingivitis and scale.

Entamoeba gingivalis y trichomonas tenax: hallazgo en poblaciones humanas con y sin patología bucal / Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax: finding in human populations with and without buccal pathology

Se estudiaron dos poblaciones de 50 pacientes adultos, de ambos sexos, de la ciudad de Rosario: la población 1 (control) con bocas sanas y buenos hábitos de higiene oral y la población 2 con gingivitis y/o periodontitis y mala higiene bucal. El objetivo fue la búsqueda de Entamoeba gingivalis y Trichomonas tenax para determinar sus prevalencias en individuos con patología oral y la relación de estos parásitos con la IgA y pH salival. De cada paciente se obtuvo una muestra de placa y sarro dental y una de saliva, para examen parasitológico por microscopia directa, 100x400 x. Se colorearon frotis de sarro y placa dental con tinción tricrómica para identificación de E. gingivalis. Se determinó además pH e IgA salival. El 50 por ciento de los pacientes con buena salud bucal presentaron parásitos: 20 monoparasitados con E. gingivalis, 1 con T. tenax y los 4 restantes con ambos protozoos. La población con patología bucal presentó un incremento significativo del porcentaje de parasitosis (78 por ciento) con respecto a la anterior, se presentaron 29 individuos monoparasitados con E. gingivalis, 1 con T. tenax y 9 con ambos protozoos. La frecuencia de E. gingivalis y T. tenax en la población 1 fueron 48 por cienbto y 10 por ciento respectivamente y resultaron notablemente mayores en la población 2 (E. gingivalis 76 por ciento y T. tenax 20 por ciento). Los hallazgos de protozoos en las dos poblaciones predominaron en placa y sarro dental. La utilización de la técnica de tinción tricrómica de Gomori aumentó la posibilidad de diagnóstico en ambas poblaciones. La presencia de parásitos orales fue independiente del valor de IgA en las dos poblaciones. La población control presentó dependencia entre el pH salival y la presencia de protozoos y se podría inferir que el pH ligeramente ácido favorece la colonización parasitaria. En la población con patología bucal no habría dependencia entre estas variables. La alta frecuencia encontrada de estos protozoos en pacientes con gingivitis y/o periodontitis destaca la importancia del diagnóstico para aplicar el tratamiento específico que permite la erradicación parasitaria (AU)

Entamoeba gingivalis y trichomonas tenax: hallazgo en poblaciones humanas con y sin patología bucal / Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax: finding in human populations with and without buccal pathology

Se estudiaron dos poblaciones de 50 pacientes adultos, de ambos sexos, de la ciudad de Rosario: la población 1 (control) con bocas sanas y buenos hábitos de higiene oral y la población 2 con gingivitis y/o periodontitis y mala higiene bucal. El objetivo fue la búsqueda de Entamoeba gingivalis y Trichomonas tenax para determinar sus prevalencias en individuos con patología oral y la relación de estos parásitos con la IgA y pH salival. De cada paciente se obtuvo una muestra de placa y sarro dental y una de saliva, para examen parasitológico por microscopia directa, 100x400 x. Se colorearon frotis de sarro y placa dental con tinción tricrómica para identificación de E. gingivalis. Se determinó además pH e IgA salival. El 50 por ciento de los pacientes con buena salud bucal presentaron parásitos: 20 monoparasitados con E. gingivalis, 1 con T. tenax y los 4 restantes con ambos protozoos. La población con patología bucal presentó un incremento significativo del porcentaje de parasitosis (78 por ciento) con respecto a la anterior, se presentaron 29 individuos monoparasitados con E. gingivalis, 1 con T. tenax y 9 con ambos protozoos. La frecuencia de E. gingivalis y T. tenax en la población 1 fueron 48 por cienbto y 10 por ciento respectivamente y resultaron notablemente mayores en la población 2 (E. gingivalis 76 por ciento y T. tenax 20 por ciento). Los hallazgos de protozoos en las dos poblaciones predominaron en placa y sarro dental. La utilización de la técnica de tinción tricrómica de Gomori aumentó la posibilidad de diagnóstico en ambas poblaciones. La presencia de parásitos orales fue independiente del valor de IgA en las dos poblaciones. La población control presentó dependencia entre el pH salival y la presencia de protozoos y se podría inferir que el pH ligeramente ácido favorece la colonización parasitaria. En la población con patología bucal no habría dependencia entre estas variables. La alta frecuencia encontrada de estos protozoos en pacientes con gingivitis y/o periodontitis destaca la importancia del diagnóstico para aplicar el tratamiento específico que permite la erradicación parasitaria

APLICACION DE LA UNCARIA TOMENTOSA (WILD9 D.C. (UÑA DE GATO), CON OXIDO DE ZINC COMO APOSITO PERIODONTAL PARA TRATAMIENTOS POST-QUIRUGICOS EN GIGIVECTOMIAS

El extracto de Uña de Gato, mezclado con óxido de zinc, ha dado excelentes resultdos en el proceso de cicatrización del tejido gingival después de realizada la intervención quirúrgica. El extracto de Uña del Gato asociado al óxido de zinc induce a la formación de tejido de granulación, reduciendo así el periodo de cicatrización posterior a la intervención quirúrgica. Una propiedad que se debe tener en cuenta, es la eliminación del dolor postoperatorio después de aplicado el apósito así como durante todo el tratamiento post- quirúrgico realizado. Por las propiedades antiinflamatorias de la Uña de Gato la reacción inflamatoria no se hace presente

[Halicephalobus (Syn. Micronema) deletrix as a cause of granulomatous gingivitis and osteomyelitis in a horse]. / Halicephalobus (Syn. Micronema) deletrix als Ursache einer granulomatösen Gingivitis und Osteomyelitis bei einem Pferd.

Therapy resistant swellings of the maxillary region and unilateral nasal discharge in older horses are mainly thought to be consequences of neoplasias of the oral cavity, especially of the gingiva and the teeth, or to develop from tumours of the nasal cavity. We report an unilateral swelling of the left nasal and buccal region in a 13-year-old gelding, which was accompanied by an aggressive destruction of involved osseous tissue due to a severe proliferative granulomatous inflammation. The granuloma was caused by the nematode Halicephalobus (syn. Micronema) deletrix. This nematode infection is known for over 30 years, even though the here reported form is uncommon and rarely diagnosed. However, this report shows that even in cases of unilateral maxillary swellings in horses a granulomatous inflammation due to nematodiasis should be considered as an additional differential diagnosis.

The prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in periodontal disease.

Two hundred patients (100 males and 100 females) having either marginal periodontitis or gingivitis were examined for detection of E. gingivalis and T. tenax. E. gingivalis was more prevalent among patients with periodontitis particularly females, while T. tenax was not discovered entirely in both patients and control groups.

[Occurrence of the protozoa, Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in the mouths of children and adolescents with hyperplastic gingivitis caused by phenytoin]. / K výskytu prvokov Entamoeba gingivalis a Trichomonas tenax v ústach detí a mládeze s hyperplastickou gingivitídou po fenytoíne.

The oral protozoa Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax do not occur in small children and are rarely found in older ones. In adolescents their occurrence rate keeps increasing with age. They parasitize in an oral cavity changed by inflammation, yet also in a healthy mouth. Their highest occurrence rate has been recorded in adults with periodontosis and atrophy of the periodontium, a somewhat lower one in adults with gingivitis. The authors addressed the question whether the presumed low occurrence rate of oral protozoa in children becomes increased in drug-induced gingivitis after treatment with the antiepileptic 5,5-diphenylhydantoin. Cultivation for oral protozoa was performed in 231 children and adolescents. Of these 59 were epileptics. Drug-induced gingivitis was present in 66% of the epileptics. Drug-induced gingivitis did not increase the occurrence rate of oral protozoa as compared to the findings in the rest of the series studied. (Tab. 9, Ref. 7.).

Clinical survey of Entamoeba gingivalis by multiple sampling in patients with advanced periodontal disease.

A clinical survey of Entamoeba gingivalis was conducted in patients with advanced periodontal disease. A total of 100 specimens were taken from 10 patients (four females and six males) who were each sampled at 10 disto-facial random sites. The oral hygiene of the persons scored from good to fair to poor and very poor. The age of the test persons ranged from 20 to 68 years. All persons examined harbored E. gingivalis: the minimum prevalence was four sites positive out of 10 and the maximum prevalence was 10 sites positive out of 10 for the protozoan. It is recommended that for reliable testing of the presence of E. gingivalis at least five-10 different sites should be examined within the periodontium of each patient. Data reported earlier in the literature on the incidence of E. gingivalis--obtained after a single sampling per individual--are believed to be on average too low and, therefore, should be interpreted with caution.

Trichomonas tenax: ultrastructure of giant forms.

Trichomonas tenax is a parasitic flagellate of the human mouth. The morphology and the ultrastructure of the protozoan are identical to those of other trichomonads. Giant forms suddenly appeared in a strain maintained in culture for two years. The structure and the ultrastructure of these abnormal forms were studied at the light and electron microscope level. Several nuclei, groups of flagella, undulating membranes and Golgi complexes were observed. The significance of these forms is still unknown.