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.

The relationship between periodontal disease severity and state-trait anxiety level.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between the paroxysm related to periodontal disease and the state-trait anxiety level in patients attending a periodontology clinic in Turkey. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved 141 patients > or = 18 years old attending the periodontology clinic at the Dental Faculty of Erciyes University, Turkey, between January and March 2009. A questionnaire developed by the researchers, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Index and the Community Periodontal Index were used for data collection. SPSS 15, chi square test and unpaired students' t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Gingivitis was present in 101 (71.6%) patietns, while periodontitis was found in 40 (28.4%). The mean age of periodontal patients was significantly higher than those of gingivitis patients (p < 0.05). Graduates were less likely to develop periodontitis than those who had only primary education (p < 0.05). Gingivitis was seen to be significantly higher in patients having poor oral hygiene (p < 0.05). State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores of periodontal patients was significantly higher than those of gingivitis patients (p < 0.05). Patients with high state anxiety scores were more likely to have periodontitis. The most important variables associated with periodontitis and gingivitis were age, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, income level and needs for treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: Periodontal treatment will improve if anxiety is diagnosed and relieved by different methods.

The effects of chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis on serum and gingival crevicular fluid total antioxidant/oxidant status and oxidative stress index.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis (CP) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appear to share many pathologic features. Oxygen metabolism has an important role in the pathogenesis of both CP and RA. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between these two chronic inflammatory diseases with regard to antioxidant and oxidant status. METHODS: A total of 80 participants were divided into four groups of 20 each: group RA-CP (patients with RA and CP), group RA (periodontally healthy patients with RA), group CP (systemically healthy patients with CP), and group C (periodontally and systemically healthy volunteers) were included in the study. After assessment of periodontal measurements, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken at one incisor, premolar, and molar tooth and stored with serum samples at -80°C for the antioxidant/oxidant assay. RESULTS: Although all clinical measurements in groups RA-CP and CP were statistically higher compared to those of C and RA groups (P <0.001), there were no differences between CP and RA-CP groups (P >0.05). GCF total oxidant status (TOS) values of CP and RA-CP groups were higher than those of the RA group (P <0.05). GCF oxidative stress index (OSI) values of the RA-CP group were higher than those of the RA group (P <0.05). There were no differences among the groups in terms of serum TOS and OSI values (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Local OSI values in groups with patients with CP were higher, whereas systemic OSI values showed no difference among the groups. The presence of RA seems not to affect local and systemic OSI values in patients with CP.