The Prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in Relation to Periodontal Disease among Patients Attending Dental Clinics in Urmia, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • Yahya Azadeh Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
  • Shahram Khademvatan Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
  • Zahra Goharfar Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
  • Shokoufeh Shahrabi-Farahani Department of Diagnostic Sciences, College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee USA
  • Rasool Jafari Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i2.22084

Keywords:

Periodontal disease; Prevalence; Entamoeba gingivalis; Trichomonas tenax; Iran

Abstract

Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in relation to periodontitis in Urmia, Northwestern Iran, in 2022.

 Methods: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected from133 patients and analyzed using microscopic and molecular techniques to identify parasites. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and Chi-square and Fisher's exact test.

Results: 42.1% of patients were infected with E. gingivalis and 11.3% with T. tenax. In comparison, microscopic diagnosis identified only 1.5% and 0.8% of patients infected, respectively. This highlights the increased sensitivity of molecular methods for parasite detection. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the presence of these parasites (identified by the molecular method) and several factors. Male patients had a significantly higher prevalence of E. gingivalis infection (P=0.037). Additionally, a history of diabetes (P=0.011) and cardiovascular diseases (P=0.021) was associated with a higher prevalence of E. gingivalis. The highest prevalence of E. gingivalis was observed in the 41–50-year age group (15 cases). Importantly, both E. gingivalis and T. tenax were significantly more prevalent in patients with severe periodontitis (P=0.003, P<0.001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates a higher prevalence of E. gingivalis compared to T. tenax in the oral cavity, suggesting its potentially greater role in periodontal disease, particularly among individuals with specific risk factors. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise contribution of these parasites to periodontitis, identify additional risk factors, and develop improved diagnostic and treatment approaches

Published

2026-07-20

Issue

Volume (21) issue (2)

Section

Articles