Molecular Epidemiology and Associated Risk Factors of Parasites in Oral Cavity of Children with Malignancies in Western Iran

Abstract

Background: This survey was designed to study the molecular epidemiology and risk factors of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in children with underlying malignancies and those on chemotherapy in Lorestan province, West of Iran.
 Methods: The present cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on children who suffering from different types of malignancies or receiving treatment by chemotherapy referring to oncology section of hospitals of Lorestan Province, Iran during May 2021 to April 2022. The frequency of oral cavity protozoa was investigated using microscopic and conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
 Results: E. gingivalis and T. tenax parasites were found in 23 (25.5%) by microscopic method and 28 (31.1%) using PCR in children with malignancy. Among positive samples, 20 (71.4%) were infected with E. gingivalis; whereas 8 (28.6%) of the participants were positive for T. tenax. In the multivariate model, living in rural regions (OR= 3.437; 95% CI= 1.22-9.63; p=0.019) and using mouthwash (OR= 0.082; 95% CI= 0.018-0.37; p<0.001) were significantly related with the frequency of oral cavity parasites.
 Conclusion: Our results showed the high frequency of oral cavity parasites in children who suffering malignancies or receiving treatment by chemotherapy in Lorestan province, Iran. The awareness of the main risk factors for oral cavity parasites particularly using mouthwash is necessary in improving public and oral health strategies in children with cancer. Consequently, oncologist and dental practitioners must be aware to identify and manage oral health concerns in in children who suffering from different types of malignancies to prevent the oral diseases and infections.

Prevalence, socio-economic, and associated risk factors of oral cavity parasites in children with intellectual disability from Lorestan province, Iran

“…In the present study, although the prevalence of oral cavity parasites was higher in children less than 10 years old, this difference was not significant. Similarly, in the study conducted by Kooshki et al. (2023) showed that there was no considerable correlation between the gender and the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax parasites in children with cancer from Lorestan, Iran ( Kooshki et al., 2023 ).…”

“…Similarly, in the study conducted by Kooshki et al. (2023) showed that there was no considerable correlation between the gender and the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax parasites in children with cancer from Lorestan, Iran ( Kooshki et al., 2023 ).…”

“…(2023) reported that among hemodialysis patients in Lorestan province, Western Iran, the frequencies of E. gingivalis and T. tenax were 17.1% and 14.5%, respectively ( Azadbakht et al., 2023 ). Furthermore, Kooshki et al. (2023) observed that in children with cancer from Lorestan, Iran, the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax was 25.5% and 31.1% based on microscopic and PCR methods, respectively ( Kooshki et al., 2023 ).…”

“…Furthermore, Kooshki et al. (2023) observed that in children with cancer from Lorestan, Iran, the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax was 25.5% and 31.1% based on microscopic and PCR methods, respectively ( Kooshki et al., 2023 ). The difference in the prevalence of these oral cavity parasites are likely influenced by factors such as the study population, sample size, and methodology employed.…”

“…Another study conducted by Azadbakht et al. (2022) showed that there was a significant abscission among brushing teeth and the prevalence of oral cavity parasites in pregnant women in Lorestan province, western Iran; whereas no significant correlation was found by age, education, and use of mouthwash ( Kooshki et al., 2023 ). Conversely, Kooshki et al.…”