Abstract

NOCITO MENDOZA, Isabel; VASCONI CORREAS, María Delia; PONCE DE LEON HORIANSKI, Patricia  and  ZDERO PANDZICH, María. Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in diabetic patients. RCOE [online]. 2003, vol.8, n.1, pp.13-23. ISSN 1138-123X.

Objective: to study the frequency of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in diabetic patients and the relation between these protozoa and IgA, pH and periodontal pathologies.  Material and Method: 50 patients, both sexes, whose eges varied between 25 and 69 were investigated. They had attended the Diagnosis Service of the Faculty of Odontology, Rosario, Argentina for consultation. A sample of dental plaque and/or tartar was obtained from each patient, plus a saliva sample, for the search of E. gingivalis and T. tenax, by direct optical microscopy and culture for both and trichromic stain for E. gingivalis. IgA and pH concentrations were also determined in saliva. Results were statistically analyzed. Results: out of the 50patiens studied, 37 (74%) presented parasites. The prevalence of E. gingivalis was 91%, while it was 32% for T. tenax. However, neither culture nor coloration increased E. gingivalis sensitivity. Salivary IgA and pH determinations in parasitized patients showed that many of these patients presented normal value ranges. Gingivitis was the predominant buccal pathology in parasitized individuals.  Conclusion: the presence of parasites is not associated with any of the three variables.

Keywords : Entamoeba gingivalis; Trichomonas tenax.