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{{Taxobox

{{Taxobox

|kingdom            =Protista

|kingdom            =Protista

|species            =''T. foetus'' and more

|species            =''T. foetus'' and more

}}

}}

Also known as: '''''Trichomonas foetus'''''

Also known as: '''''Trichomonas foetus — Trichomonas fetus'''''

 

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

[[File:Trichomonas.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''Trichomonas'' sp. with giemsa staining. Note the anterior flagellae and undulating membrane (source - Wikimedia Commons)]]

[[File:Trichomonas.JPG|thumb|200px|right|''Trichomonas'' sp. with giemsa staining. Note the anterior flagellae and undulating membrane (source - Wikimedia Commons)]]

''Tritirchomonas foetus'' are [[:Category:Protozoa|protozoal pathogens]] causing disease primarily in cattle and felids. They are identifiable by theiir pear-like shape, three anterior flagellae (recurrent flagellum) and an undulating membrane on one side.

''Tritrichomonas foetus'' is a [[:Category:Protozoa|protozoal pathogen]] causing disease primarily in cattle and felids. It is identifiable by its pear-like shape, three anterior flagellae (recurrent flagellum) and an undulating membrane on one side.

==Lifecycle and Transmission==

==Lifecycle and Transmission==

===Cattle===

===Cattle===

Tritrichomonas foetus is a [[Trichomonosis - Cattle|venereal disease in cattle]] causing early embryonic death and abortion.

''Tritrichomonas foetus'' is a [[Trichomonosis - Cattle|venereal disease in cattle]] causing early embryonic death and abortion.

The protozoa resides on the surface and in the lumen of the female reproductive tract and in the crypt of penile epithelial cells. Transmission is achieved from infected individuals during mating and direct contact.

The protozoa resides on the surface and in the lumen of the female reproductive tract and in the crypt of penile epithelial cells. Transmission is achieved from infected individuals during mating and direct contact.

''T. foetus'' has no known cyst stage, although carrier cows occur very rarely and the pathogenesis of th carrier state is unknown. Therefore, trophozoites replicate simply by binary fission. It is thought that ''T. foetus'' feeds from host lipids and fatty acids <ref>Beach DH, Holz GGJr, Singh BN, Lindmark DG, 1991. '''Phospholipid metabolism of cultured ''Trichomonas vaginalis'' and Tritrichomonas foetus'''. ''Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology'', 44(1:97-108;19)</ref>

''T. foetus'' has no known cyst stage, although carrier cows occur very rarely and the pathogenesis of the carrier state is unknown. Therefore, trophozoites replicate simply by binary fission. It is thought that ''T. foetus'' feeds from host lipids and fatty acids <ref>Beach DH, Holz GGJr, Singh BN, Lindmark DG, 1991. '''Phospholipid metabolism of cultured ''Trichomonas vaginalis'' and ''Tritrichomonas foetus'''''. ''Molecular and Biochemical Parasitology'', 44(1:97-108;19)</ref>

''T. foetus'' is sometimes isolated from foetal gut and lung but this is unlikely to be due to invasion and more likely due to swallowing or inhalation of amniotic fluid in utero.

''T. foetus'' is sometimes isolated from foetal gut and lung but this is unlikely to be due to invasion and more likely due to swallowing or inhalation of amniotic fluid in utero.

''Tritrichomonas foetus'' is transmitted via the faecal: oral route in cats. Behaviours such as grooming may aid transmission by direct contact. The venereal route is unproven in cats.

''Tritrichomonas foetus'' is transmitted via the faecal: oral route in cats. Behaviours such as grooming may aid transmission by direct contact. The venereal route is unproven in cats.

==Other ''Tritrichomonas'' spp.==

==Pathogenesis==

Others such as ''Trichomonas suis'' and ''Trichomonas vaginalis'' reside as commensals, usually in the gastrointestinal tract of other species such as pigs and guinea pigs respectively. ''[[Trichomonas gallinae]]'' occurs in birds.

 

Proteinases secreted by ''T. foetus'' degrade substrates such as fibrinogen, albumin and immunoglobulins, thus altering the biological environment and resulting in embryonic death. Pyometra is occasionally observed in females but males show no clinical signs. For more information see [[Trichomonosis - Cattle]].

 

===Cats===

''T. foetus'' mainly causes [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]] by colonisation of the large intestine. Recovery is slow but longterm prognosis is good. Reports of resistance and success are available for most anthelmintic and antibiotic therapies.

 

Many other trichomonads reside as commensals in the gastrointestinal tract of other species. Two of the most well studied trichomonads are ''[[Trichomonas gallinae]]'', which occurs in birds, and ''Trichomonas vaginalis'', which is a common sexually transmitted infection of humans.

 

 

 

 

==References==

 

==References==  

<references/>

<references/>

Feline Advisory Bureau, '''Tritrichomonas infection in cats''', accessed 02/06/2011 @ http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/tritrichomonas/

Feline Advisory Bureau, '''Tritrichomonas infection in cats''', accessed 02/06/2011 @ http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/tritrichomonas/

Wright, I.(2010) '''Tritrichomonas foetus: Jumping the Species Barrier''', ''UK Vet'', Vol 15, 1-3.  

Wright, I.(2010) '''Tritrichomonas foetus: Jumping the Species Barrier''', ''UK Vet'', Vol 15, 1-3.

==Test yourself with the Protozoa Flashcards==

|datasheet = [http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/?compid=3&dsid=60673&loadmodule=datasheet&page=2144&site=160 ''Tritrichomonas foetus'']

[[Protozoa_Flashcards#Other_Important_Protozoa|Protozoa Flashcards]]

|date = 16 October 2011}}

[[Category:Miscellaneous_Protozoa]]

[[Category:Miscellaneous_Protozoa]]

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]

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