Tritrichomonas Foetus Infection Research Articles

Vaginal Tritrichomonas foetus infection in mice as an in vivo model for drug development against Trichomonas vaginalis.

Trichomonas vaginalis is the causative agent of the common sexually transmitted disease, trichomoniasis, which affects more than a hundred million people worldwide. Metronidazole and tinidazole, agents belonging to the 5-nitroheterocyclic class of antimicrobials, are most often used to treat infection, but increased resistance has been reported and adverse effects of these drugs can be significant. Consequently, an urgent need exists for the development of novel drug entities against trichomoniasis. Critical for antimicrobial drug development is the demonstration of in vivo efficacy. Murine models of vaginal T. vaginalis infection are unreliable for unknown reasons. Meanwhile, murine infections with the related bovine pathogen, Tritrichomonas foetus, tend to be more robust, although susceptibility to different antimicrobials might differ from T. vaginalis. Here, we explored the utility of T. foetus infection as a surrogate model for drug development against T. vaginalis. Four different T. foetus strains caused robust vaginal infection in young mice, while none of four diverse T. vaginalis strains did. Comparison of drug susceptibility profiles revealed that T. foetus and T. vaginalis were similarly susceptible to a range of 5-nitroheterocyclic and gold(I) compounds. By comparison, proteasome inhibitors were 10- to 15-fold less active against T. foetus than T. vaginalis, although one of the proteasome inhibitors, bortezomib, had low micromolar activity or better against multiple strains of both trichomonads. Different strains of T. foetus were used to demonstrate the utility of the murine vaginal infection models for in vivo efficacy testing, including for bortezomib and a gold(I) compound. The differences in susceptibility to proteasome inhibitors may be partially explained by differences in the proteasome subunit sequences between the two trichomonads, although the functional relevance of the proteasome was similar in both organisms. These findings indicate that T. foetus can serve as a reliable surrogate model for T. vaginalis in vitro and in murine infections in vivo, but caution must be exercised for specific drug classes with targets, such as the proteasome, that may display genetic divergence between the trichomonads.

Gut microbiota and Tritrichomonas foetus infection: A study of prevalence and risk factors based on pet cats

Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a protozoal pathogen that infects cats and constitutes a significant cause of chronic colitis and diarrhea. Perturbations in the gut microbiota (GM) are affected by Trichomonas infection. Furthermore, dysregulation of the host GM enhances Trichomonas pathogenicity. However, it remains unclear whether the occurrence of diarrhea is associated with a dysregulation in GM following T. foetus infection in cats. Hence, the primary objective of this investigation was to explore the correlation between T. foetus infection and dysregulation in GM by analyzing fecal samples obtained from pet cats in Henan Province, central China. We randomly collected 898 fecal samples from pet cats living in 11 prefectural cities within Henan Province, and T. foetus was screened with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification based on the 18 S rRNA gene. Subsequently, six T. foetus-positive and six T. foetus-negative samples underwent analysis through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing to evaluate the gut microbiota's composition. The overall prevalence of T. foetus infection among the collected samples was found to be 6.01% (54/898). Notably, a higher prevalence of infection was observed in young, undewormed, unimmunized, and diarrheic pet cats. T. foetus infection was found to significantly alter the composition of the pet cat fecal microbiota, leading to dysfunctions. Moreover, it resulted in a substantial increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Phascolarctobacterium spp., while decreasing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B) and the abundance of Actinobacteria, Clostridiaceae_Clostridium spp., Phascolarctobacterium spp., SMB53 spp., and Blautia spp. We constructed ROC curves to assess the diagnostic value of specific bacterial taxa in discriminating T. foetus infection. The analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium spp. were the most reliable single predictors for T. foetus infection. This finding suggests that alterations in the GM may be strongly associated with T. foetus infections.

Unexpected Cross-Reaction with Honigbergiella-Like DNA in a PCR for Detection of Bovine Tritrichomonas foetus.

The prevalence of bovine Tritrichomonas foetus infection has decreased almost to zero in most European countries, such as Poland, which has been Tritrichomonas foetus-free since 1997. However, trichomonosis is a notifiable disease and there is a duty to examine samples from cattle. In this study, we present an unexpected cross-reaction with Honigbergiella-like DNA in a specimen from a bull. The bovine sample was submitted to the Department of Parasitology National Veterinary Research Institute in Pulawy (NVRI) for confirmatory testing after having been examined at the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, during a routine T. foetus diagnosis. Positive results from microscopic observation and cultures were confirmed. Noteworthily, parasites grew on Diamond’s medium only after seven days of incubation, while optimal growth of trichomonads is generally observed after two to four days for this medium. Moreover, by using PCR we obtained positive results for the presence of T. foetus. However, sequencing of the amplification product revealed 99.62% identity with Honigbergiella sp. Our data suggest that false-positive results may occur in commonly used PCR tests. Thus, unexpected results should be carefully interpreted.

Dysbiosis of fecal microbiota in cats with naturally occurring and experimentally induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection.

The protozoal pathogen Tritrichomonas foetus infects the colon of domestic cats and is a major cause of chronic colitis and diarrhea. Treatment failure is common, but antibiotics may improve clinical signs in a subset of cats, leading researchers to question involvement of the colonic microbiota in disease pathogenesis. Studies performed in women with venereal Trichomonas vaginalis infections have revealed that dysbiosis of host microbiota contributes to pathogenicity with similar findings also found in mice with intestinal Tritrichomonas musculis The aim of this study was to characterize differences in the fecal microbiota of cats with and without naturally occurring T. foetus infection and in a group of kittens prior to and after experimentally induced infection. Archived fecal DNA from cats undergoing testing for T. foetus infection (n = 89) and experimentally infected kittens (n = 4; at pre-, 2 weeks, and 9 weeks post-infection) were analyzed by sequencing of 16S rRNA genes. Amongst the naturally infected population, the genera Megamonas and Helicobacter were significantly increased in prevalence and abundance in cats testing positive for T. foetus infection. In the group of four experimentally infected kittens, fecal samples post-infection had significantly lower abundance of genus Dialister and Megamonas and greater abundance of the class Betaproteobacteria and family Succinivibrionaceae. We hypothesize that T. foetus promotes dysbiosis by competition for fermentable substrates used by these bacteria and that metabolic byproducts may contribute to the pathogenesis of colonic inflammation and diarrhea. Future studies are warranted for the measurement of fecal concentrations of microbial and protozoal metabolites in cats with T. foetus infection for the identification of potential therapeutic targets.

Failure of a novel surface polysaccharide targeting vaccine to prevent Tritrichomonas foetus infection in beef cattle

Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is the causative agent of bovine trichomoniasis that has a major impact on production costs for beef cattle farmers. Immunization strategies to effectively protect against T. foetus are a high priority. T. foetus expresses a surface polysaccharide, beta 1-6 poly-Nacetyl glucosamine (PNAG). A PNAG-specific vaccine has demonstrated protection in pigs and horses. This study attempted to protect pregnant cows from an experimental T. foetus infection by prior vaccination with a PNAG-specific vaccine.

What is known about Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats?

Tritrichomonas foetus is a parasite that has been definitively identified as an agent of trichomonosis, a disease characterized by chronic diarrhea. T. foetus colonizes portions of the feline large intestine, and manifests as chronic and recurrent diarrhea with mucus and fresh blood, which is often unresponsive to common drugs. Diagnosis of a trichomonad infection is made by either the demonstration of the trophozoite on a direct fecal smear, fecal culture and subsequent microscopic examination of the parasite, or extraction of DNA in feces and amplification by the use of molecular tools. T. foetus is commonly misidentified as other flagellate protozoa such as Giardia duodenalis and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Without proper treatment, the diarrhea may resolve spontaneously in months to years, but cats can remain carriers of the parasite. This paper intends to serve as a source of information for investigators and veterinarians, reviewing the most important aspects of feline trichomonosis, such as trichomonad history, biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, world distribution, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Prevalence of bovine trichomonosis and associated risk factors in bulls from Spanish beef herds

Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease considered as an important cause of early reproductive failure in beef cattle. To investigate the occurrence of the infection in different Spanish beef cattle-producing areas, retrospective data from the SALUVET veterinary diagnostic laboratory (Veterinary Faculty, Madrid, Spain) derived from the analysis of samples from beef bulls that were routinely tested for Tritrichomonas foetus infection, were compiled from 2011 to 2015. In addition, a number of potential risk factors were assessed. T. foetus was detected in 12.7% (385/3016; 95% CI: 11.5%–13.9%) of samples from bulls and in 20.7% (195/941; 95% CI: 18.1%–23.3%) of the herds tested. “Bull age” and “reproductive disorders in the herd” were the risk factors identified in the multivariable analysis. Bulls older than 3 years (19.7%) were more likely to be infected than young bulls (8.2%) and T. foetus was more often detected in herds with reproductive problems (27.9%) than in those without reproductive disorders (9.4%). The prevalence in bulls originating in mountain systems (13.9%, 267/1922) was significantly higher than that in “dehesa” (Mediterranean holm-oak pasture) areas (10.8%; 118/1094) (P ˂ 0.05), which might be attributable to the use of communal pastures and specific management practices in mountain systems. The results reported here indicate that T. foetus infection is substantially spread among beef cattle herds, suggesting that BT could be having a significant negative impact on the reproduction and productivity of Spanish beef herds managed under extensive conditions.

Freedom from Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in St. Kitts.

Trichomonosis is an endemic disease in cattle that arereared under extensive conditions and bred by natural mating. It causes profound economic losses to the producers by increasing calving interval, increasing embryo losses, and decreasing pregnancy rates. The aim of this study was to determine whether Tritrichomonas foetus infections wereabsent from cattle in St. Kitts. Using the modified hypergeometric method, preputial samples from bulls (n= 78) were tested using the InPouch™ culture for presence of T. foetus. Results highlighted an absence of trichomoniasis in bulls on St. Kitts with a 95% confidence.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats with diarrhea from densely housed origins

Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan parasite that has been recently identified as a causative agent of chronic diarrhea in domestic cats. Transmission of infection occurs by the fecal-oral route through direct contact among animals. Consequently, feline trichomonosis (FT) is more likely to be present in multi-cat environments. The objective of this work was to study the presence of T. foetus and some associated risk factors in cats from densely housed origins and with a reported history of chronic diarrhea. Animals enrolled in this study were family cats (n=15) acquired from pet shops, shelters or breeding centers and cattery cats belonging to one breeding center (n=28) and two cat shelters (A and B, n=25 each). In the catteries, a follow-up analysis for a period of up to 2 months was also performed to determine the parasite shedding pattern in feces and the incidence of infection. Fecal samples were analyzed using in vitro culture and a PCR technique. T. foetus was detected in a total of 38.7% (36/93) of the cats with chronic diarrhea. Parasite infection was similarly detected in family cats and cattery animals (40% versus 38.4%). In the catteries, the parasite was detected in 50%, 44% and 20% of the animals from the breeding center and shelters A and B, respectively. The follow-up analysis showed that 58.3% of infected cats intermittently shed trophozoites in their feces, with an incidence of 23.1%. Investigation of potential risk factors showed that cats ≤1 year old were more likely to be infected than older cats (57.1% versus 27.3%; P<0.05). No significant differences were found when sex and breed factors were studied. These results confirm the importance of FT as a cause of chronic diarrhea in cats and highlight the relevance of close contact conditions for T. foetus transmission.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection, a cause of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat.

Tritrichomonas foetus is a very intriguing trichomonad protozoan with respect to its varied choice of residence in the different host species. It is an obligate parasite of the reproductive and the gastrointestinal tract of bovine and feline host respectively, leading to trichomonosis. Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease whereas feline trichomonosis is a disease with a purported fecal-oral route of spread. Further, the trichomonad is a commensal in the nasal passages, stomach, cecum and colon of swine host. Advances have been exponential in understanding the trichomonad biology and specifically feline trichomonosis since late 1990s and early 2000s when T. foetus was soundly determined to be a causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. It is a challenging task, even for a skilled investigator not to mention the busy clinical veterinarian, to keep up with the vast volume of information. Here we comprehensively reviewed the trichomonad biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, host immunity, world map of distribution, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. Risk factors associated with T. foetus-positive status in the domestic cat include young age, purebred, history of diarrhea, co-infections with other enteral pathogens. In addition, molecular similarity of bovine and feline isolates of T. foetus in DNA sequence was concisely discussed. The data presented serve as an information source for veterinarians, and investigators who are interested in biology of T. foetus and feline trichomonosis.

Sa1762 Cysteine Proteases of the Enteric Trichomonad Tritrichomonas Foetus Mediate Adhesion to Intestinal Epithelial Cells and Enterocyte Apoptosis

Tritrichomonas foetus (TF) is a lumen-dwelling protozoal pathogen that infects the feline ileum and large bowel. TF induces a chronic diarrhea similar to that observed in human giardiasis and other enteric protozoal diseases. Many of the mechanisms by which enteric protozoans colonize the intestine and induce epithelial injury are largely unknown. Thus, TF infection represents a novel model for the comparative study of human protozoal pathogenesis. Parasitic proteases are suspected to be key virulence factors for many enteric protozoans including TF. Study aims were to determine which classes of proteolytic activity are characteristic of feline TF and to determine the role of these proteases in TF survival, adherence to intestinal epithelial cells and consequent cytopathogenicity. The class-specific protease activities of protein extracts obtained from 3 feline TF and 1 feline Pentatrichomonas hominis isolate were identified by means of substrate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of cysteine (E64 0.01-0.6mM), metallo(EDTA 0.1-0.5mM), serine (PMSF 0.1-5mM; DFP 0.01-10mM; AEBSF 1-4mM) and aspartic (pepstatin A 0.01-0.1mM) protease inhibitors. The effect of protease inhibitors or their diluents on TF growth and adhesion was determined using feline TF labeled with [3H]thymidine that were allowed to adhere to monolayers of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) in co-culture. The cytopathogenic effect of TF was quantified by immunoblotting TF-infected IPEC-J2 cells for the M30 antigen of cleaved cytokeratin 18, which is a marker of apoptosis. A minimum of 3 replicates were performed for each experiment. Data were analyzed using Systat software (p ,0.05). Patterns of substrate-gel proteolysis, demonstrated by feline isolates of TF, were similar and revealed the presence of multiple high and low molecular weight proteases. On the basis of pharmacological inhibition, these activities were identified as serine (SP) and cysteine proteases (CP), respectively. P. hominis, a presumably non-pathogenic trichomonad, produced little protease activity compared to TF and had no CP activity. SP inhibition resulted in death of TF while CP inhibition blocked adhesion of TF to the intestinal epithelial cells and significantly inhibited enterocyte apoptosis. These studies establish that serine and cysteine proteases are the predominant mediators of feline TF proteolytic activity and identify the specific involvement of serine proteases in TF survival and cysteine proteases in TF adhesion and cytopathogenicity to intestinal epithelial cells. These findings have comparative implications for the further study of pharmacological serine and cysteine protease inhibitors for potential prevention, treatment or amelioration of enteric protozoal diseases and such investigations can be undertaken using a feline model of clinical infection.

Spatial and temporal epidemiology of bovine trichomoniasis and bovine genital campylobacteriosis in La Pampa province (Argentina)

The venereal diseases bovine trichomoniasis (BT) and bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BCG) cause economic losses in endemic areas like La Pampa province in Argentina, where beef cattle are usually managed extensively. This study used data compiled under a Provincial Programme for the Control and Eradication of BT and BGC (PCE) to determine the spatio-temporal distribution of these diseases and identify spatial clusters. The study population comprised 29,178 non-virgin bulls drawn from 3766 herds, tested for BT and BGC in 2010. Preputial smegma samples were cultured for BT detection, while BGC was diagnosed by direct immunofluorescence testing of these samples. Campylobacter fetus infection was detected in 1.5% of bulls and 2.3% of herds, and Tritrichomonas foetus infection was found in 1.1% of bulls and 5.1% of herds. The proportion of positive tests was highest in February for BT, while in April it was highest for BCG, and was inversely related to the number of tests, which was greatest during the breeding season (spring). An elliptical spatial cluster of high risk for BGC and a circular cluster for BT were both identified in the south of La Pampa province, which could not be explained by cattle herd density. The spatial and temporal patterns identified in this study provide baseline data for monitoring the success of BT and BGC control activities in La Pampa.

P012 The effects of faecal microbiota transplantation on the innate immune system and epithelial tight junction expression in chronic refractory pouchitis

Tritrichomonas foetus (TF) is a lumen-dwelling protozoal pathogen that infects the feline ileum and large bowel. TF induces a chronic diarrhea similar to that observed in human giardiasis and other enteric protozoal diseases. Many of the mechanisms by which enteric protozoans colonize the intestine and induce epithelial injury are largely unknown. Thus, TF infection represents a novel model for the comparative study of human protozoal pathogenesis. Parasitic proteases are suspected to be key virulence factors for many enteric protozoans including TF. Study aims were to determine which classes of proteolytic activity are characteristic of feline TF and to determine the role of these proteases in TF survival, adherence to intestinal epithelial cells and consequent cytopathogenicity. The class-specific protease activities of protein extracts obtained from 3 feline TF and 1 feline Pentatrichomonas hominis isolate were identified by means of substrate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence or absence of cysteine (E64 0.01-0.6mM), metallo(EDTA 0.1-0.5mM), serine (PMSF 0.1-5mM; DFP 0.01-10mM; AEBSF 1-4mM) and aspartic (pepstatin A 0.01-0.1mM) protease inhibitors. The effect of protease inhibitors or their diluents on TF growth and adhesion was determined using feline TF labeled with [3H]thymidine that were allowed to adhere to monolayers of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) in co-culture. The cytopathogenic effect of TF was quantified by immunoblotting TF-infected IPEC-J2 cells for the M30 antigen of cleaved cytokeratin 18, which is a marker of apoptosis. A minimum of 3 replicates were performed for each experiment. Data were analyzed using Systat software (p ,0.05). Patterns of substrate-gel proteolysis, demonstrated by feline isolates of TF, were similar and revealed the presence of multiple high and low molecular weight proteases. On the basis of pharmacological inhibition, these activities were identified as serine (SP) and cysteine proteases (CP), respectively. P. hominis, a presumably non-pathogenic trichomonad, produced little protease activity compared to TF and had no CP activity. SP inhibition resulted in death of TF while CP inhibition blocked adhesion of TF to the intestinal epithelial cells and significantly inhibited enterocyte apoptosis. These studies establish that serine and cysteine proteases are the predominant mediators of feline TF proteolytic activity and identify the specific involvement of serine proteases in TF survival and cysteine proteases in TF adhesion and cytopathogenicity to intestinal epithelial cells. These findings have comparative implications for the further study of pharmacological serine and cysteine protease inhibitors for potential prevention, treatment or amelioration of enteric protozoal diseases and such investigations can be undertaken using a feline model of clinical infection.

High prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in Asturiana de la Montaña beef cattle kept in extensive conditions in Northern Spain

Bovine trichomonosis (BT) and bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) are sexually transmitted diseases that can be important infectious causes of reproductive failure in extensively managed beef cattle where natural mating is a common practice. However, their prevalence in Europe was thought to be insignificant or very low. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with BT and BCG in a representative beef cattle breed, Asturiana de la Montaña (AM), which is usually managed extensively in the mountain areas of Northern Spain and putative risk factors associated with the two diseases are present on most farms holding AM cattle. Preputial smegma samples were collected from 103 bulls belonging to 65 herds. Pathogen detection was undertaken using culture and PCR. Two scraping methods for sample collection (AI pipette and plastic scraper), as well as different culture media and DNA extraction methods were evaluated on field samples. Campylobacter fetus veneralis infection was not detected in any animal in any herd. However, Tritrichomonas foetus infection was demonstrated in 32% (33/103) and 41.5% (27/65) of bulls and herds tested, respectively. AM bulls older than 3 years (39.7%) were more likely to be infected than young bulls (16%) (OR=3.45, CI=1.07-11.19). An increase in repeat breeder cows was reported in herds from which T. foetus was detected (OR=5.2, CI=1.5-17.18). These findings highlight the re-emergence of this disease in extensively managed beef cattle in Spain. For routine diagnosis, the use of a culture technique and PCR in combination is advisable for testing smegma samples under field conditions.

Effect of vinyl sulfone inhibitors of cysteine proteinases on Tritrichomonas foetus infection

Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted protozoon that causes genital inflammation and adverse pregnancy outcomes in cattle. Cysteine proteinases (CPs) released by T. foetus degrade immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, complement component 3 and matrix proteins as well as inducing apoptosis of bovine genital epithelial cells. In this study, the efficacies of the vinyl sulfone CP inhibitors K11777 and WRR-483 were tested against CPs of T. foetus. The activity of secreted T. foetus CPs in culture supernatants was decreased in the presence of vinyl sulfone inhibitors. Inhibitor K11777 reduced the in vitro cytopathogenic effects of T. foetus in bovine foetal trophoblast cells, which are relevant target cells since this pathogen interferes with pregnancy. Pre-treatment of T. foetus prior to intravaginal inoculation diminished genital infection in a murine model. Therefore, vinyl sulfone CP inhibitors reduce several effects of T. foetus-secreted CPs, including cytotoxicity on relevant target host cells and genital infection in a murine model. These inhibitors have potential as chemotherapeutic agents against bovine trichomoniasis. Generalisation to human trichomoniasis requires further study.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection in purebred cats in Germany: Prevalence of clinical signs and the role of co-infection with other enteroparasites

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection and associated clinical signs in purebred cats in Germany, to investigate the role of co-infection, and identify determinants of infection. Faecal specimens accompanied by epidemiological questionnaires were scored and collected from 230 purebred cats. Faeces were examined for trichomonads and other enteroparasites. The prevalence of T foetus was 15.7% among cats and 18.5% among catteries. An abnormal faecal score and history of diarrhoea were observed in 64% and 61% of T foetus-positive cats, respectively, and correlated significantly with infection. Co-infection, observed in 36% of T foetus-infected cats, was not associated with diarrhoea. Norwegian Forest cats were infected significantly more often than other breeds. No association was found with any environmental factors. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of symptomatic T foetus infections in purebred cats in Germany. Co-infection with other enteroparasites did not worsen clinical signs of trichomonosis.

Ronidazole pharmacokinetics after intravenous and oral immediate-release capsule administration in healthy cats

Ronidazole (RDZ) is an effective treatment for feline Tritrichomonas foetus infection, but has produced neurotoxicity in some cats. An understanding of the disposition of RDZ in cats is needed in order to make precise dosing recommendations. Single-dose pharmacokinetics of intravenous (IV) RDZ and immediate-release RDZ capsules were evaluated. A single dose of IV RDZ (mean 9.2mg/kg) and a 95mg immediate-release RDZ capsule (mean 28.2mg/kg) were administered to six healthy cats in a randomized crossover design. Plasma samples were collected for 48 h and assayed for RDZ using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Systemic absorption of oral RDZ was rapid and complete, with detection in the plasma of all cats by 10 min after dosing and a bioavailability of 99.64 (±16.54)%. The clearance of RDZ following IV administration was 0.82 (±0.07) ml/kg/min. The terminal half-life was 9.80 (±0.35) and 10.50 (±0.82) h after IV and oral administration, respectively, with drug detectable in all cats 48h after both administrations. The high oral bioavailability of RDZ and slow elimination may predispose cats to neurotoxicity with twice-daily administration. Less frequent administration should be considered for further study of effective treatment of T foetus-infected cats.

Dynamics of Tritrichomonas foetus Infection in Bulls Used for Natural Service in a Florida Dairy Farm

The economic impact of bovine trichomonosis has been well reported for beef and grazing livestock. However, in dairy farms the extensive use of artificial insemination (AI) has reduced its prevalence. The one exception is those herds where natural service (NS) is a part of the reproductive management and the potential for venereal disease transmission exist. In the US, a considerable number of dairies use bulls in their reproductive program. In the Southeast, de Vries et al, (2005) reported that 70% of herds used NS along with an AI program. Worldwide trichomonosis is considered a major cause of infertility in cattle bred by natural service. Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is a flagellate, obligate, anaerobic protozoa which causes venereal disease in domestic animals. The transmission of T. foetus occurs at coitus when an infected bull breeds a susceptible female or vice versa. In bulls, the infection is asymptomatic. In females, the protozoa cause embryonic death during early stages of pregnancy and temporary infertility. However, pyometra or abortions are the only clinical signs that may be observed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of T. foetus in dairy bulls used for natural service in Florida dairy farm.

Assessment of reproductive tract disease in cats at risk for Tritrichomonas foetus infection

To determine whether Tritrichomonas foetus infection resides in reproductive tract tissues from cats housed for breeding and for which a high prevalence of colonic T foetus infection has been reported. 61 purebred cats in 36 catteries undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy or castration and for which reproductive tract tissues, feces, and a reproductive history were obtained. Reproductive tract tissues were examined for T foetus via light microscopy, immunohistochemical analysis, and PCR assay. History of reproductive tract disease was examined to detect statistical associations with identified or reported exposure to colonic T foetus infection. 15 of 61 (25%) cats and 22 of 33 (67%) catteries were identified with active or reported T foetus infection. Light microscopic, immunohistochemical, or molecular evidence of T foetus infection of the reproductive tract was not detected in any cats, including 15 cats with colonic T foetus infection, 29 cats residing in a cattery in which T foetus-infected cats were identified, and 8 cats for which gross or light microscopic evidence of reproductive tract disease was identified. There were no differences in total number of litters, number of litters per breeding, kitten mortality rate, or birth defects between cats or catteries infected with T foetus and those for which T foetus infection was not identified. No evidence of reproductive tract colonization by T foetus was detected in this study. Accordingly, it is unlikely that reproductive tract infection with T foetus plays an important role in overall disease transmission.

Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats with diarrhoea in a rescue colony in Italy.

Faecal samples from 74 cats with chronic large bowel diarrhoea that were living in a rescue colony in Italy, were submitted for assessment of Tritrichomonas foetus by direct microscopy of faecal smears (n=20) and T foetus-specific culture (n=74), with confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (n=1). Twenty-four of the cats (32%) were found to be infected with T foetus. The infected cats were predominantly over a year of age (67%) and were all neutered non-pedigree domestic cats.