The PERIODONTAL AMOEBA

This continually evolving site contains microbiological data about (and treatment options for) periodontal diseases. Some periodontal infections are associated with disturbances of the general health and research indicates there may be a common aetiology involved in some but not all associations. Different types of periodontal disease are associated with different disturbances of the general health. The mix of microbes varies with the clinical picture of health or disease. Research and clinical observations have established links between periodontal diseases and cardio vascular disease (heart attack & stroke) as well as some forms of arthritis. Diabetes & thyroid dysfunction also seem to be linked to periodontal infection in some, but not all, instances. Although the common cold and sore throats have many different causes, some of the infecting organisms in periodontal diseases also appear to cause flu like disturbances at the outset of the oral infection. All these conditions can be successfully treated with anti-infectives. The antibiotic, antifungal or antiprotozoal medication can be selected based on testing to show which organism may be causing a problem. Anti-infective treatment should be continued until further testing shows that the target organisms have been eliminated. Follow up testing should be done at regular intervals to ascertain whether any infection has re-established.

The video files which were previously posted are all quite large, and have been taken down because they took too much space and too much time to download. To see Entamoeba gingivalis moving aggressively through dental plaque, contact the author by email and mark the subject line E.gingivalis. This file is approximately 1.26 MB & has two video clips, but the file for Trichomonas tenax is only 629 KB, with only one video clip. In this file you will see the other oral parasite, a flagellate, busily swimming through dental plaque and saliva. For access to this file contact the author by email and mark the subject line T.tenax. To see video of Entamoeba gingivalis attacking and destroying red and white blood cells in dental plaque, contact the author for access to some exciting research video of this parasite. (This big 2 MB file is intended for researchers & other healthcare professionals, including bona fide students.) The file now posted on the website contains fully captioned still frames which are .jpg photomicrographs taken from the .mpv video clip. To see the photomicrographs and read the text go to Amoeba Eats.htm.

Comments or questions about the scientific content of this site can be emailed to the address given in ISBN 9693950.htm.

All the data is protected by copyright against commercial usage, but may be freely accessed, copied and implemented for patient care (Introduction to Periodontal Parasites.htm) or research Entamoeba gingivalis - a Pathogen.htm here you will find original data which implicates the oral protozoa in destructive periodontal infections. Data is included about the nature of periodontal infections and the role which protozoa (e.g. Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax) as well as fungi (e.g. the genus Candida and especially Candida albicans) play in oral disease. Candida & Other Parasites.htm and perionf.htm The latter also contains a non working copy of a computer generated reporting system, the "PERIODEX". For a zipped up working copy go to PERIODEX EVALUATION.htm

For more information about gingivitis and other gum infections take a look at: candida.htm. For .jpg photomicrographs of Entamoeba gingivalis and the flagellate, Trichomonas tenax see the Red Guide Book.htm. It contains explanatory text and is an adjunct to the video files. It may take a few minutes to load as it is a large file. It is a guide to the use of a microscope in the identification of oral microbes. Also see about Entamoeba gingivalis.htm which has x-rays showing typical results of treatment with appropriate antimicrobials. Details about which antibiotics and antiseptics are effective in which kind of infection, together with dosage and duration of treatment, are documented in Introduction to Protozoa and Fungi in Periodontal Infections. This website is the sequel to the book. The book contains a complete bibliography as well as additional information not reproduced in the website. For ordering information go to ISBN 9693950.htm.

For the dentist there is help in choosing appropriate antimicrobial drugs to treat the infection without recourse to surgery. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CANDIDA.htm and indirect.htm. Patients, dentists and researchers will find important data about tooth decay which open avenues for future research. caries.htm

Patients, dentists & physicians will find clues to oral disease which can disturb the general health. CANDIDA, PARASITES & IMMUNITY.htm Find out why flossing, brushing and fluoride is not sufficient to protect your health. Oral Hygiene.htm

For more information on Trichomonas tenax download More on Parasites

For Research and Prescribing Information, see Formulations

Dr Trevor Lyons............. January 2008