Is malaria a predisposing factor for third molar pericoronitis in the tropics?

Abstract

Malaria is an important disease in the tropics, and its role as a predisposing factor or co morbidity has been investigated in many diseases including HIV infection and tuberculosis. There are very few studies, which have investigated its role in oral and dental diseases. Our study aimed to demonstrate the possible role of malaria in predisposing to pericoronitis, an infection affecting impacted third molars predominantly. Thirty-eight patients presenting with pericoronitis were tested for malaria parasites and results compared with that obtained from controls that were equally susceptible to pericoronitis but did not have the infection. 19.7% of the study group compared to 6.6% of control group had malaria parasite in their blood. This difference was statistically significant, P=0.018 (Fisher's exact). The odds ratio was 4.3 (95% CI=1.2-17.0). Malaria appears to be a predisposing factor to pericoronitis in this study. There is a need for further studies on the possible role of malaria in oral and dental diseases.