High prevalence and cross-species transmission potential of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax in humans, dogs, and cats in Guangxi, China.

چکیده اصلی

Oral protozoa such as Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax have been implicated in periodontal disease, yet their pathogenic roles in host remain controversial, and their zoonotic potential between humans and companion animals is poorly understood. This study investigated the correlation between periodontal diseases and the prevalence of these oral protozoa in humans, dogs, and cats, as well as their zoonotic potential. Oral swabs were collected from 93 humans, 298 dogs, and 325 cats. Species identification and E. gingivalis subtyping were performed using nested PCR and sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis. Associations between infection status and demographic or oral health variables were analyzed using chi-square tests and logistic regression. E. gingivalis was highly prevalent across species (>90%), with mixed ST1/ST2 infections predominating. T. tenax prevalence differed significantly among hosts, ranging from 4.30% in human, to 16.62% in cats and 25.17% in dogs. Phylogenetic analysis clustered T. tenax and E. gingivalis sequences irrespective of host species. In dogs, T. tenax infection was significantly associated with age (OR = 4.77 in elderly) and periodontal disease (OR = 4.10). Mixed infections of E. gingivalis and T. tenax were detected in 4.30% of humans, 23.15% of dogs, and 16% of cats. The high prevalence and genetic relatedness of these protozoa suggest cross-species transmission and zoonotic potential. E. gingivalis likely acts as a commensal, whereas T. tenax is linked to age and periodontal disease. These findings highlight the need for integrated oral health surveillance under a One Health framework.

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