As an initial compartment of the digestive system communicating with the environment, the oral cavity is populated by a large number and diverse species of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa. They adhere to various surfaces, thus forming the so-called biofilms that are included in the composition of dental plaques. Plaques are a risk factor for the development of periodontitis because of the abundance of bacteria in them. The flagellate protozoan Trichomonas tenax has been isolated more frequently from the oral cavity of individuals with poor oral hygiene and periodontitis. The aim of our study was to assess the distribution of Trichomonas tenax worldwide based on the already published scientific literature. We performed a systematic review of 26 articles abstracted in several databases during the period between 1970 and August 2022. We proved a correlation between Trichomonas tenax and its presence in patients with periodontal disease. Different methods for its detection were established, such as microscopy, culture, polymerase chain reaction and loop-mediated isothermal amplification. The answers of many questions still remain unclear and, therefore, further epidemiological and clinical studies are needed to focus on the virulence and pathogenicity properties of this potential periodontal pathogen.
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