Entamoeba gingivalis: prevalence amongst inhabitants of the Niger Delta.

Abstract

A survey based on microscopic examination of scrapping taken from the gum-line was conducted on the prevalence of Entamoeba gingivalis amongst inhabitants of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. An overall prevalence of 6.9% was recorded. Infection was highest among the 5-10 year age group (22.9%) and dropped progressively with increase in age of the subjects such that by the age of 29 years it had fallen to 5.7%. No significant difference (p less than 0.005) could be detected regarding infection amongst smokers (4.1%) and non-smokers (4.3%) or between male (6.8%) and female subjects (7.0%).