Dr. Kassai Tibor szerk.: Parasitologia Hungarica 1. (Budapest, 1968)
incidence of infection by oral protozoa increases witb advancing age. Until now, no data were available on protozoal infections of the mouth with regard to the population of Budapest. Since no generalizations can be made or inferences drawn from the results of observations, made by various techniques and in different countries, on oral protozoal infection of the inhabitants of Budapest, I have analysed data obtained from the examination, commenced in 1963, of 741 individuals. I have attempted to form a picture of the frequency of oral parasites and of the distribution of infections according to sex, age, and the state of oral hygiene . M e t h o d. The research material consisted of the oral secretion of individuals living, or having resided for some time, in Budapest. Part of the material was obtained from patients treated during the free consulting-hours in local dental surgeries, and part was specially collected from various individuals and groups. On the label of each sample, the state of oral hygiene was indicated by the symbols 0 = mucous membrane healthy, dentition healthy; I = mucous^membrane healthy, caries; II = gingivitis; III = stomatitis ulcerosa. Secretion samples were taken by a depurator from the alveolus, the gingival sacculum, the gingiva, carious teeth etc., and immediately inoculated into liquid CRAIG medium (15)- To the pre-heated media, one loop of finely powdered sterile rice starch was added prior to inoculation. Cultures were incubated at 37°C for 72 hours but checks were made every 24 hours . Results. Of the 741 examined individuals , 560 (75.5 $>) were infected by mouth protozoa. Of the infected persons, 53.4 i.e., 297 individuals, were infected by one protozoan species only. E. gingivalis occurred in 235, T. tenax in 6.2, cases. On the other hand, both E. gingivalis and T. tenax occurred in 263 individuals, i.e. in 46.6 % of the infected patients. E. gingivalis was therefore recovered from 61.7 # (498 individuals), T.. tenax from 38.3 $ (325 individuals), of the infected persons. In agreement vith published data, it
