Trichomonas tenax in Basrah, Iraq.

One hundred and forty-three swabs from diseased mouths and 271 from healthy controls were examined by direct wet smear method for Trichomonas tenax. Negative swabs were cultured on suitable media. The frequency of trichomonas tenax was 8.4% and 4.1% in diseased and controls respectively. Of 23 positive samples, 14 (3.3%) were positive on direct wet smear method and 9 (2.1%) were positive on culture method. There were 12 males and 11 females. Highest frequency of infection (6.7%) was found in 6-10 years age group and lowest (3.7%) in 11-20 years group. Only 1% university students were positive.