Tritrichomonas foetus

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Tritrichomonas foetus

  • Venereally transmitted
  • Cattle protozoa
  • Lives in the uterus and preputial cavity of bulls
  • Occurs worldwide
  • Fatal diseases in wild birds caused by T. gallinae
    • Necrotic, yellow nodules in the crop and oesophagus
    • Infection is usually fatal
    • Turkeys and chickens may also become infected
  • Non-pathogenic species affect guinea-pigs

Recognition

  • 10-25μm long
  • Pear-shaped
  • 3 anterior flagella and 1 posterior flagellum forming an undulating membrane
  • Body is supported by an axostyle
    • Hyaline rod
    • Projects posteriorly
  • Single nucleus present

Life Cycle

  • Simple
  • Reproduce by binary fission
  • Transmission via direct contact

Pathogenesis

  • No clinical signs in the bull once established
    • Inhabits the preputial cavity
    • Once infected, bulls remain so permanently
  • Infertility and abortion in the cow
  • Prevalence has dramatically decreased in cattle since the introduction of artificial insemination
  • Occurs in the digestive tract of other species
    • Usually as commensal organisms
  • T. gallinae is pathogenic in pigeons

Diagnosis

  • Microscopic examination of vaginal or preputial washings