Observational cross-sectional study of Trichomonas tenax in patients with periodontal disease attending a Chilean university dental clinic
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2019
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Background: The oral flagellated protozoan Trichomonas tenax has been associated with patients with periodontal
disease. However, no recent studies have been conducted on the prevalence of T. tenax in Chile. The aim of this
study was to determine the presence of T. tenax in patients with periodontal disease, admitted to the Dental Clinic
of the University of Antofagasta, Chile, through Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of the beta-tubulin
gene.
Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients diagnosed with periodontal
disease, 20 of them with gingivitis and 30 with periodontitis. T. tenax was identified by PCR amplification of the
beta-tubulin gene. Associations between the protozoan and periodontal disease or the presence of risk factors to
establish T. tenax infection were determined using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis.
Results: T. tenax was present in 28 out of 50 (56%) of patients with periodontal disease, and was more prevalent
when associated with periodontitis (21 out of 30; 70%) than dental plaque-induced gingivitis (7 out of 20; 35%).
Non-statistically-significant associations were observed between the presence of T. tenax and age, gender, smoking
habit or diabetes. Statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of T. tenax and
periodontal disease, and between T. tenax and the Periodontal Screening and Recording (PSR) index.
Conclusion: T. tenax showed a high presence in patients with progressive states of periodontal diseases.
Consequently, T. tenax detection is strongly recommended in patients with periodontal disease diagnosis and with
a PSR index greater than 3.