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 ecological catastrophe of oral diseases: a possible link between periodontitis and protozoa.

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the prevalent diseases in the adult population. The ethiology of PD has never been completely understood, however, loss of balance between the host immune system and the microbial virulence of PD pathogens may be considered the trigger of PD. In fact, the immune system, activated by microbiological agents, attacks the host and not the biofilm bacteria, causing the destruction of periodontal tissue, alveolar bone and loss of teeth. Parasites may play an important role in the pathology of PD. The first studied and the most common parasite in the oral cavity is Entamoeba gingivalis. A possible link between E. gingivalis and PD has never been demonstrated completely, however E. gingivalis is infrequently found in people without PD. In addition, there is evidence that E. gingivalis could favour the onset and progression of PD. In conclusion, we can assert that E. gingivalis and PD may be correlated. This relationship can open new therapeutical approaches for treating PD, particularly in cases refractory to therapy.

[A study of the frequency of protozoa and yeasts isolated from the parodontium of 509 subjects (author's transl)]. / Etude de la fréquence des protozoaires et des levures isolés du parodonte chez 509 sujets.

The protozoa Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax together with yeasts of the genus Candida were investigated in the mouth (gums or neck of tooth) of 509 healthy or diabetic subjects. A study of the possible correlation between presence of these parasites and various local or general factors, showed that neither the sex, maxillo-facial anomalies nor smoking had any influence on parasite incidence. Entamoeba gingivalis was encountered in 85 per cent of subjects free from parodontopathy. Numerous factors influenced the presence of Trichomonas tenax: age, social status, alcohol consumption, dental condition and gingival pathology. Presence of Candida was associated with diabetes, poor buccal hygiene and dental condition.