Mouth Protozoa in North West Frontier Province of Pakistan — a Study

The Prevalence and role of mouth parasites in patients attending Out Patient Department of Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, North West Frontier Province of Pakistan were investigated. The prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and trichomonas tenax estimated in 150 patients belonging to rural and urban localities in North West Frontier Province of Pakistan during February 2006 to July 2006. A total of 150 Patients (90 males and 60 females) were screened by taking mouth swabs in a sterile tube containing normal saline solution and observing under x 100 with oil immersion. The over all infection of both Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas Tenax was 60% with males showing higher prevalence (61.1%) than females (58.3%). Out of 90 positive patients 57% were harboring Entamoeba gingivalis and 3.3% Trichomonas Tenax. A positive association was found between prevalence of mouth parasites and poverty, 71% of these patients were from poor class. The infection rate was common in cigarette smokers than snuff (niswar) dippers. Not a single snuff dipper was found positive for Entamoeba gingivalis or Trichomonas Tenax.