Resumo

DEVERA, Rodolfo et al. Protozoa in the oral cavity of schoolchildren in Ciudad Bolivar, Bolivar State, Venezuela. Rev. Soc. Ven. Microbiol. [online]. 2010, vol.30, n.2, pp.109-113. ISSN 1315-2556.

A study of 105 supragingival dental biofilm samples taken from the same number of students of the “Blanca Sosa de Vargas” Bolivarian State Educational Unit of Ciudad Bolivar was done with the purpose of determining the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax. The samples were analyzed through direct examination, sediment examination and trichrome staining techniques. Entamoeba gingivalis was the only protozoa diagnosed in 32 of the samples. There was no difference in relation to gender and age of the infected students (p>0.05). The protozoa were diagnosed in children with and without caries and there were no statistically significant differences. In conclusion, a 30.5% prevalence of E. gingivalis was determined in dental biofilm samples from the population studied

Palavras-chave : Entamoeba gingivalis; dental biofilm; dental caries.