Trichomonas Tenax and Entamoeba Gingivalis Prevalence Among Palestinian Adults, A PCR-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Periodontal diseases affect the tissues responsible for tooth support within the oral cavity. These conditions are directly connected to tooth loss and other general health issues like cardiovascular diseases. Microorganisms associated with periodontal diseases have been extensively studied; however, parasites like T. tenax and E. gingivalis have been the least investigated and least frequently linked to periodontitis. This research aims to study the prevalence of these parasites in the Palestinian adult community. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to reveal the prevalence of both parasites. Cities to be included in the study were selected via cluster sampling. 291 saliva and plaque scraping samples were extracted from subjects who were eligible and accepted to enroll. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction was done, followed by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis to detect parasite infection. Results: After conducting DNA extraction and PCR, all samples were negative for T. tenax and E. gingivalis infection. Conclusion: The negative results of this study were insufficient to establish the prevalence of the two parasites among Palestinian adults. Improved general and oral health may have reduced parasite prevalence. Further research is needed to identify other potential microorganisms directly linked to these oral diseases.