ObjectivesPeriodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria present in the dental biofilm. However, the presence of two oral protozoans, Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax, in patients with the periodontal disease remains largely unknown in Taiwan. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of oral microbial infections between the sites with mild gingivitis and chronic periodontitis in patients.Materials and MethodsWe collected 60 dental biofilm samples from sites with mild gingivitis (probing depth <5 mm) and chronic periodontitis (probing depth ≥5 mm) from 30 patients at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital. The samples were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis.ResultsAmong oral protozoans, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were detected in 44 (74.07%) and 14 (23.33%) of all samples, respectively. Among oral bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia were detected in 50 (83.33%), 47 (78.33%), and 48 (80.0%) samples, respectively.ConclusionsThis study, which is the first to analyze E. gingivalis and T. tenax presence among patients with periodontitis in Taiwan, revealed an association between periodontitis and oral microbes.

Objectives Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by bacteria present in the dental plaque. However, the role of two oral protozoans, Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax, in patients with the periodontal disease remains largely unknown in Taiwan. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of oral microbial infections between the sites with mild gingivitis and chronic periodontitis in patients with periodontitis. Materials and Methods We collected 60 dental plaque samples from sites with mild gingivitis (probing depth < 5 mm) and chronic periodontitis (probing depth ≥ 5 mm) from 30 patients at the National Cheng Kung University Hospital. The samples were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. Results Among oral protozoans, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were detected in 44 (74.07%) and 14 (23.33%) of all samples, respectively. Among oral bacteria, P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia were detected in 50 (83.33%), 47 (78.33%), and 48 (80.0%) samples, respectively. Furthermore, the infection rates of T. tenax and T. forsythia were significantly different between the sites with mild gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. Conclusions This study, which is the first to analyze E. gingivalis and T. tenax presence among patients with periodontitis in Taiwan, revealed an association between periodontitis and oral microbes. Clinical Relevance: Compared with the different sites with mild gingivitis and chronic periodontitis, chronic is more likely to also have the infection rates of T. tenax and T. forsythia. These oral protozoans and bacteria may be the reason for chronic periodontitis in Taiwan.

No abstract