The occurrence of Entamoeba gingivalis among patients with periodontal disease

Abstract According to some studies, the Entamoeba gingivalis colonizing the gingival tissue is an important agent in bringing about periodontitis. Other studies, however, deem it an opportunist that is able to survive in the medium induced by periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis infection in patients from the Department of Periodontology, and compare this population with that of healthy people, so as to analyze the relationships between infection and patient sex and age. The result of this work is that in both groups, a correlation (p = 0,19) has been noted between the occurrence of amoebae and other diseases in the oral cavity. Indeed, 81,4% of all patients with some periodontal disease showed the presence of amoeba. Among those who are not afflicted with oral diseases, the presence of amoeba was indicated in 62,5% of the total. In addition, a correlation between the person's age and the presence of protozoa (p = 0,15) was strongly marked among women (p = 0,19). In the three age groups of women in this study (40-49, 60-69, and above 80 years), we observed a 100% presence of protozoa. Our study leads us to the conclusion that infections with Entamoeba gingivalis should be regarded as an factor that is associated with the pathological changes occurring in patients with periodontal diseases.