Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Trichomonas tenax (T tenax) is a protozoan that inhabit the oral cavity of poor oral hygiene. It is found in the dental caries, tartar and periodontal area. It feed on the normal flora of the mouth. It had been found to cause pulmonary infection and respiratory diseases in immunocompromised patients and patients wi advanced cancer.
thOBJECTIVE:
To determine the humoral immune response to Trichomonas tenax and studying if there is any relation with specific bacteria.
METHODS:
Forty patients who consult Al-Kindy Teaching hospital –maxillofacial and dental department from June-2008 to January -2009.Two gingival swabs were taken from those patients, one examined directly for the presence of T tenax by light microscope and other swab was cultured on Blood, Chocolate and MacConkey's agar for isolation of oral bacteria. Blood was collected from patients for estimation of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 levels by using radial immune diffusion method.
RESULTS:
The study group consists of forty individuals, their ages range from 6-65 years. Male more than female (22:18), thirty of them was smoker, 25% of them were positive for T tenax. The types of bacteria that were isolated are a normal flora of the mouth like Streptococcus viridans. In spite of the level of Immunoglobulins and complement in both groups lie within normal values, there was a significant increased in serum IgM level and significant decreased in serum IgG, IgA, C3 and C4 level.
CONCLUSION:
There was increased in the prevalence of T tenax infection due to low social class and low oral hygiene .There was no specific bacteria that was confected with it. Lastly, increased in T tenax infection when there is an immune suppression as in advanced cancer patients and on radiotherapy and or chemotherapy.