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Also Known As:''''' Trichomoniasis — Tritrichomonosis — Tritrichomoniasis — [[Tritrichomonas foetus]] — Trichomonad Abortion — Genital Trichomonosis'''''
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
Bovine trichomonosis is a venereal disease caused by the flagellated prozoan Tritrichomonas foetus.
[[File: Trichomonas.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''Trichomonas'' spp. with giemsa staining]]
Infection causes significant economic losses due to embryonic losses and abortion.
Bovine trichomonosis is a venereal disease caused by the flagellated prozoan ''[[Tritrichomonas foetus]]''. Infection has significant negative economic impact due to embryonic losses and abortion.
''[[Tritrichomonas foetus]]'' is a notifiable disease to the World Organisation of Animal Health ([http://www.oie.int/ OIE]).
''[[Tritrichomonas foetus]]'' is a notifiable disease to the World Organisation of Animal Health ([http://www.oie.int/ OIE]).
Disease is most common among extensively grazing systems and is only present in herds using natural service.
Disease is most common among extensively grazing systems and is only present in herds using natural service.
T foetus is extremely rare in exclusively artificially inseminated units, but will survive both freezing to -196⁰C and antibiotics used in semen extenders, so proper hygiene and extensive testing of donor bulls is imperative.
''T. foetus'' is extremely rare in exclusively artificially inseminated units, but will survive both freezing to -196⁰C and antibiotics used in semen extenders, so proper hygiene and extensive testing of donor bulls is imperative.
Bull age is the most important risk factor for infection with infection much more likely in animals over 3 years old. This is due to the maturation of the crypts in the epithelium of the reproductive tract which the protozoa resides in in carrier animals. Older bulls are often chronic carriers for the remainder of their lives. Young bulls are much more likely to spontaneously clear infection and thus trophozoites are short-lived.
Bull age is the most important risk factor for infection with infection much more likely in animals over 3 years old. This is due to the maturation of the crypts in the epithelium of the reproductive tract which the protozoa resides in in carrier animals. Older bulls are often chronic carriers for the remainder of their lives. Young bulls are much more likely to spontaneously clear infection and thus trophozoites are short-lived.
No vectors are known to be involved in transmission of T foetus.
No vectors are known to be involved in transmission of ''T. foetus''.
==Clinical Signs==
==Clinical Signs==
Transmission to females during mating is highly efficient and most will become infected after mating with an infected bull.
Transmission to females during mating is highly efficient and most will become infected after mating with an infected bull.
In females, early embryonic death by resorption and/or mummification between 21 and 100d gestation are the hallmarks of disease. Temporary or prolonged infertility is sometimes seen after abortion. The organism resides in the [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|uterus]] and [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]].
In females, '''early embryonic death''' by resorption and/or mummification between days 21 and 100 of gestation are the hallmarks of disease. Temporary or prolonged infertility is sometimes seen after abortion. The organism resides in the [[Uterus - Anatomy & Physiology|uterus]] and [[Vagina and Vestibule - Anatomy & Physiology|vagina]].
Occasionally, post-coital pyometra may be seen, presenting as a vaginal discharge or flocculated uterine fluid on a routine fertility examination.
Infection is usually transient, lasting 8-18 weeks <ref>Skirrow, S.Z., BonDurant, R.H. (1990)'''Induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection in beef heifers.''' J Am Vet Med Assoc, 196(6):885-889; 25</ref>
Infection is usually transient, lasting 8-18 weeks <ref><Skirrow, S.Z., BonDurant, R.H. (1990)'''Induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection in beef heifers.''' J Am Vet Med Assoc, 196(6):885-889; 25</ref>
Less than 0.1% cows will become carriers. <ref>Skirrow, S.(1987)'''Identification of trichomonad-carrier cows'''.J Am Vet Med Assoc, 191(5):553-554;6</ref>
Less than 0.1% cows will become carriers. <ref>Skirrow, S.(1987) '''Identification of trichomonad-carrier cows'''.J Am Vet Med Assoc, 191(5):553-554;6</ref>
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==
On histology of penile and preputial epithelium, lymphoid aggregates may be identifiable. The inflammatory response in the female tract is similar and also non-specific, beginning neutrophilic and becoming a mixed infiltrate by the sixth week of infection. Infiltrates often surround the uterine glands in the stratum spongiosum and mast cells decline in number. By the twelfth week, cellularity has returned to normal.
On histology of penile and preputial epithelium, lymphoid aggregates may be identifiable. The inflammatory response in the female tract is similar and also non-specific, beginning neutrophilic and becoming a mixed infiltrate by the sixth week of infection. Infiltrates often surround the uterine glands in the stratum spongiosum and mast cells decline in number. By the twelfth week, cellularity has returned to normal.
Immunohistochemistry may reveal soluble antigen (SGA) within the epithelial cells, which is originally shed from the surface of T foetus.
Immunohistochemistry may reveal soluble antigen (SGA) within the epithelial cells, which is originally shed from the surface of ''T. foetus''.
Parasite IgG and IgA can be found in vaginal secretions and serum complement fixation assays performed.
Parasite IgG and IgA can be found in vaginal secretions and serum complement fixation assays performed.
Only bulls are usually treated.
Only bulls are usually treated.
Treatments of choice which are proven to be effective in vivo are acriflavine ointment applied topically to the glans penis, shaft and prepuce and nitromidazole compound given orally or topically in solution.
Treatments of choice which are proven to be effective in vivo are '''acriflavine ointment''' applied topically to the glans penis, shaft and prepuce and '''nitromidazole''' compound given orally or topically in solution.
Note that nitrimadazoles are illegal in food animals in some countries and that precautions should be taken when applying acriflavine due to its staining and irritant nature.
Note that nitromidazoles are illegal in food animals in some countries and that precautions should be taken when applying acriflavine due to its staining and irritant nature.
==Control==
==Control==
Testing and culling of bulls is imperative to eradication of Tritrichomonas foetus.
Testing and culling of bulls is imperative to eradication of ''Tritrichomonas foetus''.
Cows can also be vaccinated, using two subcutaneous injections 2-4 weeks apart. The course should finish 4 weeks prior to breeding. Vaccine is safe in pregnant cattle and can be used after exposure to reduce shedding.
Cows can also be vaccinated, using two subcutaneous injections 2-4 weeks apart. The course should finish 4 weeks prior to breeding. Vaccine is safe in pregnant cattle and can be used after exposure to reduce shedding.
==References==
==References==
<references/>
<references/>
Animal Health & Production Compendium. '''Trichomonosis datasheet''', accessed 02/06/2010 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
Animal Health & Production Compendium. '''Trichomonosis datasheet''', accessed 02/06/2010 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
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