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Oyhenart J. Positive cases of bovine genital campylobacteriosis and bovine trichomonosis in the eradication program of La Pampa, Argentina: 2008-2021. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:96. [PMID: 38441747 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03931-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Bovine genital campylobacteriosis, caused by the gram-negative bacteria Campylobacter fetus venerealis, and bovine trichomonosis, caused by the parasite protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus, are venereal diseases that occur with long intercalving periods and abortion. The control of both diseases relies on microbiological testing and culling infected bulls. Vaccination and antibiotic treatment may help in controlling campylobacteriosis but are not recommended for trichomonosis control. Several regions of the world have active control programs for trichomonosis, not campylobacteriosis. In Argentina, the state of La Pampa aims to eradicate trichomonosis and campylobacteriosis by imposing annual diagnostic testing of every bull and slaughtering positive animals. Prior studies indicated a declining trend in the prevalence of campylobacteriosis and trichomonosis in La Pampa. It was also proposed that the prevalence of one disease could be estimated from the prevalence of the other. The purpose of this retrospective analysis of data gathered from 2008 to 2021 was to determine the La Pampa program's efficacy. Descriptive statistics were employed to determine the reason behind the correlation between tricomonosis and campylobacteriosis diagnostic results. The outcomes refute the notion that this program of venereal eradication was a success. Furthermore, an excess of false positives in both diagnoses may have contributed to the correlation between the prevalences of campylobactriosis and trichomonosis. The practice of killing animals without verifying positive results hinders the determination of disease prevalence and results in the death of numerous healthy animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Oyhenart
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, National Scientific and Technical Research Council, National University of La Pampa (UNLPam), Ruta 35 km 334, (6300), Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
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Loy DS, Spuri Gomes R, Dutta E, Brodersen BW, Loy JD. Time and temperature stability of Tritrichomonas foetus in phosphate-buffered saline as evaluated by a reverse transcription real-time PCR assay and field analysis. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1101502. [PMID: 37065215 PMCID: PMC10098177 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1101502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus (TF) is a significant reproductive pathogen of cattle, and sample collection, handling, transport, and testing are significant hurdles to surveillance programs. Recent methods have been developed that allow for the direct detection of TF using a reverse transcription real-time PCR (direct RT-qPCR) approach. To evaluate these methods, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the technical performance of this assay with a commercially available real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. In addition, the evaluation of two types of collection media (PBS and TF transport tube) was conducted that evaluated sample stability from 0 to 3 days when stored at 4°C or 25°C. Extended incubation times for PBS media were also evaluated (5, 7, and 14 days) at both refrigeration and frozen temperatures to evaluate the effect of extended transport time on samples. Limits of detection (LODs), dynamic range, and RNA stability were assessed using lab-cultured TF spiked into samples of normal bovine smegma collected in PBS or TF transport media, and performance was assessed on field samples collected in parallel. 100% agreement was found between direct RT-qPCR and qPCR at 10 parasites/extraction and a LOD of 1 parasite/extraction. Differences in detection were not observed in either collection media when incubated at either temperatures for up to 3 days of incubation. In addition, the extended incubation experiments indicate that samples containing 10 parasites/extraction can be detected at 4°C for 5 days with a mean Cq 26.34 (95% CI: 23.11–29.58) and detected at −20°C for 7 or 14 days, with a mean Cq 29.55 (95% CI: 27.73–31.37). A significant decrease in detectable RNA was observed in samples containing <10 parasites/extraction at −20°C for 14 days, which should be considered for long-term storage. In summary, direct RT-qPCR was found to be equivalent or superior to qPCR and PBS was not significantly different from TF transport media. The findings of the current study allows for more flexibility during sample collection and transport and ultimately enhancement of TF surveillance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan S. Loy
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
- *Correspondence: Duan S. Loy
| | - Renata Spuri Gomes
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Enakshy Dutta
- Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Bruce W. Brodersen
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - John Dustin Loy
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
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Schroeder ME, Meza D, Shah R, Leyva-Baca I, Conrad R, Ferro PJ. Detection of Tritrichomonas foetus by RT-rtPCR in pooled bovine preputial washings. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:178-181. [PMID: 36625397 PMCID: PMC9999391 DOI: 10.1177/10406387221149407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Trichomonosis is a venereal disease of cattle caused by the protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. T. foetus infection in cattle herds can be economically costly for cattle producers; therefore, testing is important for detection of the agent. Given that bulls are considered to be subclinical carriers of T. foetus, it is important to detect T. foetus infection prior to movement and/or breeding season. We have described previously the development of an updated set of PCR primers and probes that offer increased sensitivity of T. foetus detection in preputial washings collected in PBS by utilizing reverse-transcription real-time PCR (RT-rtPCR) that targets the 5.8S ribosomal RNA of the T. foetus organism. Here, we report improvements in the updated RT-rtPCR reagents as well as the evaluation of testing of pooled preputial washings. We found that up to 5 preputial washings can be pooled, similar to routine testing practices (InPouch culture), without reducing the sensitivity of detection of T. foetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E. Schroeder
- Molecular Diagnostics, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
| | | | - Rohan Shah
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Austin, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Pamela J. Ferro
- Molecular Diagnostics, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College Station, TX, USA
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Gharban HAJ. Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic confirmation of bovine trichomoniasis in aborted cows in Iraq. Vet World 2023; 16:580-587. [PMID: 37041823 PMCID: PMC10082752 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.580-587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Bovine trichomoniasis, caused by Tritrichomonas foetus, is a venereal disease that is distributed in many countries, including Iraq. Compared with other abortive infectious diseases, prevalence of T. foetus is expected to be relatively low in the field by veterinarians. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of T. foetus in aborted cows by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and phylogenetic analysis of local T. foetus isolates was documented in the National Center for Biotechnology Information as the first sequenced isolates from Iraq. Materials and Methods Vaginal fluids were collected from 62 aborted cows and examined by PCR. Data were reported for the following parameters: Vital signs (body temperature and respiratory and pulse rates), age (<4, 4-8, and >8 years), reproductive health status (premature calving, embryonic death, pyometra, and healthy newborn), breed (pure or crossbred), type of breeding (natural or artificial), bull-to-cow ratio (1:<10, 1:10-20, and 1:>20), contact of cow with bull(s) from other farmers (yes or no), and contact with stray animals (dogs and cats). Results A total of 20.97% of aborted cows were positive for T. foetus. Phylogenetic analysis for 10 positive local T. foetus isolates demonstrated high identity with the Thai (MN560972.2) and Chinese (MH115435.1) isolates, with an identity range of 98.8%-99.5% and 98.6%-99.3%, respectively. Clinical data showed that the vital signs differed insignificantly between cows positive and negative for T. foetus. Prevalence and risk of infection increased significantly in <4-year-old, early calving, embryonic death, crossbred, and naturally inseminated cows that had direct contact with bulls from other farmers, and contact with stray animals. Fetal pneumonia and death of premature calves were significant among positive aborted fetuses. Conclusion Tritrichomonas foetus is highly prevalent in aborted cows in Iraq and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated an identity between the local and global isolates, that is, Thai and Chinese, of cats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasanain A. J. Gharban
- Department of Internal and Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wasit, Wasit, Iraq
- Corresponding author: Hasanain A. J. Gharban, e-mail:
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Molecular detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in bovine samples: a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting EF1-alpha-Tf1 and a comparative study of published PCR techniques. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:1725-1733. [PMID: 35348895 PMCID: PMC9098602 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07487-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The parasite T. foetus causes trichomonosis in cattle but is generally asymptomatic in males. Thus, many bulls carrying the disease go unnoticed, making the detection of T. foetus in bulls an important aspect for its control. Due to drawbacks posed by its cultivation, PCR is a preferred option for diagnostic laboratories. Most published PCR protocols target the genomic region compring the 18S, 5.8S, and 28S rRNA genes and internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (rRNA-ITS region), homologous to that of other Tritrichomonas species. There is minimal information on alternative genetic targets and no comparative studies have been published. We compared a protocol based on the microsatellite TfRE (called H94) and five protocols based on the rRNA-ITS region (called M06, M15, G02, G05, and N02). We also designed and evaluated a novel PCR-based assay on the EF1-alpha-Tf1 gene (called V21). The analytical sensitivity and specificity assays for the PCR protocols were performed according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) directives and the comparative study was performed with a widely used PCR (M06) on clinical samples from 466 breeding bulls. V21 showed a high degree of agreement with our reference M06 (kappa = 0.967), as well as M15 (kappa = 0.958), G05 (kappa = 0.948), and H94 (kappa = 0.986). Protocols H94 and V21 appear to be good approaches for confirming clinical cases in preputial bull samples when genomic regions alternative to rRNA-ITS are required. By contrast, N02 gave false negatives and G02 false positives.
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Irons PC, McGowan M, de Assis PM, Randhawa I, Awawdeh L, Mugwabana J, Barnes TS, Boe-Hansen G, McCosker K, Fordyce G. Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia. Aust Vet J 2022; 100:201-204. [PMID: 35080007 PMCID: PMC9305749 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis, caused by the protozoal parasite Tritrichomonas foetus, is a highly contagious venereal disease characterised by early pregnancy loss, abortion and pyometra. Persistently infected bulls and cows are the primary reservoirs of infection in infected herds. This research investigated the prevalence of T. foetus infection in bulls from properties located across northern Australia and New South Wales. Preputial samples were collected from 606 bulls at slaughter and tested for T. foetus using the VetMAX‐Gold Trich Detection Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The apparent prevalence of T. foetus infection varied between regions, with northern regions in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia showing a prevalence of 15.4%, 13.8% and 11.4%, respectively. There was some evidence of an association between infection and postcode (P = 0.06) and increasing bull age (P = 0.054). This study confirms that T. foetus infection is likely to be present in many beef breeding herds and contributing to lower than expected reproductive performance, particularly across northern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- P C Irons
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | - M McGowan
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - P M de Assis
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Seventeen Mile Rocks, Queensland, 4073, Australia
| | - I Randhawa
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - L Awawdeh
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - J Mugwabana
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - T S Barnes
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia.,Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
| | - G Boe-Hansen
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia
| | - K McCosker
- Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Katherine, Northwest Territories, 0851, Australia
| | - G Fordyce
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia
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Oh YI, Seo KW, Kim DH, Cheon DS. Prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of fecal enteropathogens from diarrheic cats in the Republic of Korea (2016-2019): a retrospective study. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:367. [PMID: 34852811 PMCID: PMC8633091 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03075-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diarrhea is one of the most common clinical symptoms in cats and can be caused by infectious pathogens and investigation of the prevalence, co-infection and seasonality of enteropathogens are not well-established in diarrheic cats. Results Fecal samples of 1620 diarrheic cats were collected and enteropathogens were detected using real-time PCR. We retrospectively investigated the clinical features, total/seasonal prevalence, and infection patterns of enteropathogens. The positive infection rate was 82.59%. Bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections accounted for 49.3, 37.57, and 13.13% of cases, respectively. Feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) was the most common pathogen (29.37%), followed by Clostridium (C.) perfringens, Campylobacter (C.) coli, feline parvovirus, and Tritrichomonas foetus. The seasonality of enteropathogens was observed with peaks as follows: bacterial infections peaked in October, viral infections peaked in November, and protozoal infections peaked in August. Viral and protozoal infections showed differences in prevalence according to patient age. In the infection patterns, the ratios of single infections, mixed infections, and co-infections were 35.72, 9.87, and 54.41%, respectively. FECV was predominant in single infections. The most common patterns of multiple infections were C. perfringens and C. coli in mixed infections and C. perfringens and FECV in co-infections. Conclusions Infection patterns differed according to the enteropathogen species, seasonality, and age distribution in cats. The results of this study might be helpful to understand in clinical characteristics of feline infectious diarrhea. In addition, continued monitoring of feline enteropathogens is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye-In Oh
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Won Seo
- Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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Yao C. Control and eradication of bovine trichomonosis in Wyoming, USA by testing and culling positive bulls. Vet Res 2021; 52:129. [PMID: 34620238 PMCID: PMC8499549 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00996-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine trichomonosis is caused by Tritrichomonas foetus. Thirty-three US states have state rules on this disease and render it reportable due to potential huge economic losses to cattle industry. The various rules of different states generally mandate testing and culling T. foetus-positive bulls as well as prohibiting import of T. foetus-positive animals. Wyoming has enforced these rules for over 20 year beginning in 2000. From 2017 to 2019, 3 years in a row, not even one T. foetus-positive bull has been detected throughout the entire state among over ten thousand bulls tested annually. Wyoming is the first US state to achieve total control and eradication of bovine trichomonosis by testing and culling T. foetus-positive bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, St. Kitts, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
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Martin KA, Henderson J, Brewer MT. Bovine Trichomonosis Cases in the United States 2015-2019. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:692199. [PMID: 34434984 PMCID: PMC8382153 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.692199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually-transmitted protozoan parasite that causes early embryonic death in cattle. Tritrichomonas foetus is enzootic in the United States but is not a reportable disease at the national level. Thus, it is difficult to understand the prevalence and relative distribution of the disease for the purpose of developing appropriate control measures. In this study, a survey of state veterinarians was used to determine the number of reported cases in each state from 2015 to 2019. Our investigation revealed infections in 25 different states and a total of 3,817 reported cases nationwide. Infections occurred throughout different regions of the country, and numbers of cases were only weakly correlated with total number of cattle in each state. Tritrichomonas foetus is a significant pathogen in the United States and understanding the relative distribution of the parasite is useful for prioritizing surveillance and intervention strategies going forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy A Martin
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Juli Henderson
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Matthew T Brewer
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA, United States
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Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a venereal trichomonad parasite which causes reproductive issues in cattle. No other trichomonads are known to be urogenital pathogens in cattle, but there are several reports of Tetratrichomonas and Pentatrichomonas isolates of unclear origin from the cattle urogenital tract (UGT) in the Americas. This study reports the first case of a non-T. foetus cattle urogenital trichomonad isolate in Europe. Molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1-5.8S ribosomal RNA-ITS 2 and 18S ribosomal RNA loci suggest that the isolate is a Tetratrichomonas species from a lineage containing other previously described bull preputial isolates. We identified close sequence similarity between published urogenital and gastrointestinal Tetratrichomonas spp., and this is reviewed alongside further evidence regarding the gastrointestinal origin of non-T. foetus isolates. Routine screening for T. foetus is based on culture and identification by microscopy, and so considering other trichomonad parasites of the bovine UGT is important to avoid misdiagnosis.
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Morero M, Ramirez MR, Oyhenart J. Taguchi method for the optimization of three loop mediated isothermal amplification procedures for Tritrichomonas foetus detection. Vet Parasitol 2021; 295:109462. [PMID: 34058662 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Taguchi method was used to optimize loop mediated isothermal amplification tests aimed to amplify segments of the elongation factor 1a1 (tf-ef1a1), the 5,8 ribosomal gene (tf-5,8 r) or the beta tubulin 2 (tf-btub2) from the protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus. L9 orthogonal array and quadratic loss functions that penalize deviations from prediction values revealed the effect of amplification reaction components. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) decomposed the contribution of individual factors to a small Ct. Confirmation experiments established that optimum conditions were predictable, verifiable and reproducible. Primers concentration conditioned the non-specific amplification of tf-ef1a1 while betaine and magnesium concentration contributed to accelerate the time to reach a positive threshold in tf-ef1a1, tf-5,8 r and tf-btub2. The general strategy of simple and robust experimental design holds potential as a general optimization protocol for LAMP tests in every diagnostic laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Morero
- INCITAP, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - María Rosana Ramirez
- CONICET, Instituto Universitario Fundación Hector Barceló, Santo Tomé, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - Jorge Oyhenart
- INCITAP, CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
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Oyhenart J. Retrospective cohort study for the identification of true-positive farms over 12-year of enforced program for Tritrichomonas foetus eradication in La Pampa, Argentina. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100498. [PMID: 33308741 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Oyhenart
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Faculty of Natural Sciences, National University of La Pampa (UNLPam), Biotechnology Laboratory, Ruta 35 km 334, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
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A case of "misplaced" Tritrichomonas foetus infection in a dog in Northern Italy. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 22:100451. [PMID: 33308716 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
An 8-year-old, spayed female Rottweiler dog, under immunosuppressant treatment for protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and intestinal lymphangiectasia, was presented for anorexia, poor general conditions and episodes of diarrhea. A subcutaneous mass between the caudal abdominal mammary glands was found. A fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed and revealed the presence of inflammatory cells mixed with pear- or round-shaped microorganisms with cytomorphological features of flagellated protozoan trophozoites, belonging to Trichomonadida order. The final diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus infection was achieved with molecular analysis (Real-Time PCR) and sequencing. T. foetus has often been reported as a pathogenic agent in cattle and cats, and rarely reported in dogs, where its pathogenetic role is poorly understood. To the author's knowledge, this is the first case of T. foetus infection described in a location different from the gastrointestinal tract in a dog.
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Oyhenart J. Zero inflated count regression for one year prediction of bovine trichomonosis in a compulsory control plan in La Pampa, Argentine. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2020; 20:100394. [PMID: 32448528 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Data from 533 farms with bovine trichomonosis were investigated through hurdle and zero inflated models to quantify the burden of recurrent bovine trichomonosis. The probability of having a positive result in the following year for those farms with a previous positive test was 10.7%. Keeping or buying infected animals increased the odds of having positive results by 2.8 (95% CI = 1.41-5.56). The number first cases significantly decreased the chances of being no-at-risk (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.47-0.89) and the chances of being positive in the following season (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.01-1.18). The number of animals tested significantly increased the chances of being positive in the next season (OR = 1.02; 95% CI = 1.01-1.03). Both the number of positives and the number of animals tested suggest a significant proportion of new cases detected were false positives. These epidemiologic indicators are likely important determinants in the selection of farms requiring more intensive control measures and farms where testing results should be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Oyhenart
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Faculty of Natural Sciences, National University of La Pampa (UNLPam), Av. Uruguay 151, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
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Dąbrowska J, Keller I, Karamon J, Kochanowski M, Gottstein B, Cencek T, Frey CF, Müller N. Whole genome sequencing of a feline strain of Tritrichomonas foetus reveals massive genetic differences to bovine and porcine isolates. Int J Parasitol 2020; 50:227-233. [PMID: 32109482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan parasite that colonizes the reproductive tract of cattle as well as the gastrointestinal tract of cats. Bovine tritrichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease whereas feline tritrichomonosis is thought to be transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Furthermore, T. foetus is known as an essentially apathogenic commensal located in the nasal cavity of pigs. Transmission of T. foetus between the different hosts has to be considered a realistic scenario that may have important implications for the epidemiology of infections and disease. In our study, we generated whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from bovine, feline and porcine T. foetus strains to investigate the genetic (dis)similarities among these diverse strains. As a reference, we used a previously released draft assembly from a bovine T. foetus strain K isolated from an infected bull in Brazil. In particular, we identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the insertion-deletion (indel) variations within the genomes of the different strains. Interestingly, only a low degree of polymorphism (68 SNPs and indels) was found between the bovine and the porcine strains in terms of variants with a predicted impact of moderate or high and where one species is homozygous for one allele and the other homozygous for the other allele. Conversely, however, a 964 times higher number of such differences was detected by comparing the feline with either the bovine (65,569) or the porcine (65,615) strain. These data clearly indicated a close phylogenetic relationship between bovine and porcine T. foetus but a remarkable genetic distinctness of these two strains from the feline strain. The latter observation was confirmed by PCR-based sequencing of 20 in silico-selected indel markers and five in silico-selected SNP markers that uniformly demonstrated a relatively distant phylogenetic relationship of three independent feline T. foetus isolates in comparison to the bovine and porcine strains investigated. In summary, our comparative genome sequencing approach provided further insights into the genetic diversity of T. foetus in relation to the different host origins of the parasite. Furthermore, our study identified a large number of SNP- and indel-containing sequences that may be useful molecular markers for future epidemiological studies aimed at the elucidation of the transmission patterns of T. foetus within different host species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Dąbrowska
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Irene Keller
- Department for BioMedical Research and Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Bruno Gottstein
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 51, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland
| | - Caroline F Frey
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Norbert Müller
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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16
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Jin Y, Du A, Yao C. Clinical isolates of Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls in Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana, USA. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:12. [PMID: 31924216 PMCID: PMC6954593 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-2229-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several Tritrichomonas species have been found in mammalian hosts. Among these trichomonads T. foetus is often found in the urogenital tract of cattle and the gastrointestinal tract of the domestic cat, resulting in sexually transmitted bovine trichomonosis and fecal-orally transmitted feline trichomonosis, respectively. The aims of the current study were to molecularly characterize clinical isolates of T. foetus in cattle populations in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana of the United States of America and to phylogenetically analyze Tritrichomonas species of mammalian hosts. RESULTS DNA sequencing of rRNA genes showed over 99% identity of the newly described isolates to other bovine isolates. Further, T. foetus isolates of various mammalian hosts originated in different geographic regions worldwide were clustered into two well-defined clades by phylogenetic analysis of rRNA and cysteine protease 2 genes. Clade I consisted of isolates originated from cattle, pig, and human whereas clade II contained isolates of cat and dog. CONCLUSION It is concluded that all mammalian Tritrichomonas spp. apparently belong to T. foetus. Analysis of more sequences is warranted to support this conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhu Jin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA
- Present Address: Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Aifang Du
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, 82070, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis.
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17
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Oyhenart J. Major factors associated to persistence of bovine trichomoniasis in a mandatory control plan: A eight year retrospective study in La Pampa, Argentine. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2019; 18:100328. [PMID: 31796194 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Tritrichomonas foetus. Infection is related to low conception rates and would have significant impact on calf crop. The state of La Pampa started in 2006 an unprecedented mandatory control program for eradication of bovine trichomoniasis. The compulsory participation of all cattle producers and the yearly control of every bull should be followed by culling of every positive animal. This retrospective study on data from eight years of the control plan showed that 80% of farms had a single year of positive tests. In these farms, positive tests showed a strong decay of disease during the first years that reached a baseline by 2012. A non negligeable proportion of positive bulls in this group can be attributed to false positive tests. Oppositely, farms with two or more years of positive diagnosis accounted for a great proportion of recent cases. These farms were more likely related to less intensive control measures. The non exclusion of carrier bulls is the major factor contributing to the persistance of bovine trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Oyhenart
- INCITAP - CONICET - Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Av. Uruguay 151, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
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18
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Patterns of protist diversity associated with raw sewage in New York City. ISME JOURNAL 2019; 13:2750-2763. [PMID: 31289345 PMCID: PMC6794324 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-019-0467-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Protists are ubiquitous components of terrestrial and aquatic environments, as well as animal and human microbiomes. Despite this, little is known about protists in urban environments. The ~7400-mile sewer system of New York City (NYC) collects human waste from ~8 million human inhabitants as well as from animals, street runoff, and groundwater, providing an ideal system to study these microbes. We used 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to profile raw sewage microbial communities. Raw sewage samples were collected over a 12-month period from 14 treatment plants of the five NYC boroughs, and compared with samples from other environments including soil, stormwater, and sediment. Sewage contained a diverse protist community dominated by free-living clades, and communities were highly differentiated across environments. Seasonal differences in protist composition were observed; however, network analysis and functional profiling demonstrated that sewage communities were robust and functionally consistent. Protists typically associated with human and animal guts or feces were frequently detected. Abundance of these parasites varied significantly both spatially and temporally, suggesting that spikes could reflect trends in the source population. This underscores sewage as a valuable model system for monitoring patterns in urban microbes and provides a baseline protist metagenome of NYC.
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19
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Thompson JA. Food animal veterinarians should seek a reevaluation of the ban on metronidazole. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2019; 254:1042-1044. [DOI: 10.2460/javma.254.9.1042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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20
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Collantes-Fernández E, Moreno-Gonzalo J, Sánchez-Sánchez R, García-Bocanegra I, Horcajo P, Ortega-Mora LM. Prevalence of bovine trichomonosis and associated risk factors in bulls from Spanish beef herds. Theriogenology 2019; 128:116-121. [PMID: 30743100 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Collantes-Fernández
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Javier Moreno-Gonzalo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Sánchez-Sánchez
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Córdoba-Agrifood Excellence International Campus (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pilar Horcajo
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis M Ortega-Mora
- SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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21
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Molina LL, Angón E, García A, Caballero-Villalobos J, Giorgis AO, Moralejo RH, Perea J. A retrospective epidemiological analysis of shared risk factors for bovine trichomoniasis and bovine genital campylobacteriosis in La Pampa province (Argentina). Prev Vet Med 2018; 161:109-114. [PMID: 30466651 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2018] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The venereal diseases bovine trichomoniasis (BT) and bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses in endemic areas like La Pampa province in Argentina, where beef cattle are usually managed extensively. The eradication of both diseases is a priority in Argentine. The aim of this case-control study was to identify shared and specific risk factors of both diseases from the data obtained from the Provincial Program for the Control and Eradication of BT and BGC in La Pampa (PCE). The study population included 5777 breeding beef herds tested for BT and BGC in 2013. The study comprised 3481 herds that were surveyed in situ by official PCE veterinarians, distributed as follows: 3159 negative herds (with no BT or BGC positive bulls), 121 BT case herds (with at least a BT positive bull), 170 BGC case herds (with at least a BGC positive bull) and 31 BT and BGC co-infected case herds (with at least a positive bull for each disease). Three multivariable analyses were performed in order to identify the risk factors using a logistic regression model. Results showed that the risk factors shared by both diseases were the number of bulls (OR for BT = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04, p < 0.001; OR for BGC = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.03, p < 0.001; OR for BT and BGC co-infection = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04, p = 0.003) and the presence in the previous year of each disease (OR for BT = 18.69, 95% CI: 11.82-29.57, p < 0.001; OR for BGC = 4.65, 95% CI: 3.18-6.81, p < 0.001; OR for BT and BGC co-infection = 39.18, 95% CI: 16.72-91.80, p < 0.001). Disease-specific risk factors were continuous breeding season for BT (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.04-2.47, p = 0.034), and inadequate condition of the fences for BGC (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06-2.15, p = 0.022). An integrated approach to venereal disease management needs to consider the risk characteristics identified in this study. This could lead to reduce both diseases and improve the efficiency of BT and BGC control activities in La Pampa.
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Affiliation(s)
- L L Molina
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National University of La Pampa, Calle 5 Esq. 116, 6360, General Pico, Argentina; National Service of Health and Agro - Food Quality (SENASA), Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis, Corrientes, 80, 6300, Santa Rosa, Argentina
| | - E Angón
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, 14071, Spain.
| | - A García
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, 14071, Spain
| | - J Caballero-Villalobos
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, 14071, Spain
| | - A O Giorgis
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National University of La Pampa, Calle 5 Esq. 116, 6360, General Pico, Argentina
| | - R H Moralejo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National University of La Pampa, Calle 5 Esq. 116, 6360, General Pico, Argentina
| | - J Perea
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, 14071, Spain
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22
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Molina LL, Angón E, García A, Moralejo RH, Caballero-Villalobos J, Perea J. Time series analysis of bovine venereal diseases in La Pampa, Argentina. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201739. [PMID: 30080907 PMCID: PMC6078287 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The venereal diseases bovine trichomoniasis (BT) and bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) cause economic losses in endemic areas like La Pampa province in Argentina where beef cattle are usually extensively managed. This study used data compiled between 2007 and 2014 by a Provincial Program for the Control and Eradication of venereal diseases in order to develop and analyze retrospective models of time series for BT and BGC. Seasonality and long-term trend were explored with decomposition and simple regression methods. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average models (ARIMA) were used to fit univariate models for the prevalence and persistence of BT and BGC. Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Explanatory Variable models (ARIMAX) were used to analyze the association between different time series, replacement entries and herd samplings. The prevalence and persistence of BT and BGC have decreased from 2007 to 2014. All the BT and BGC time series are seasonal and their long-term trend is decreasing. Seasonality of BT and BGC is similar, with higher rates of detection in autumn-winter than is spring-summer. Prevalence and persistence time series are correlated, indicating their changes are synchronic and follow a similar time pattern. Prevalence of BT and BGC showed the best fitting with the ARIMA (0,0,1)(0,1,1)12 model. While for persistence of BT and BGC, the best adjustment was with the same model with no seasonal difference where the current number of cases depends on the moving averages of the month and the previous season. Including covariates improve the fitting of univariate models, in addition, estimations using ARIMAX models are more precise than using ARIMA models. The time distribution of the samplings could be increasing the false negative ratio. According to the obtained results, the ARIMA and ARIMAX models can be considered an option to predict the BT and BGC prevalence and persistence in La Pampa (Argentina).
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo L. Molina
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National University of La Pampa, General Pico, Argentina
- National Service of Health and Agro-Food Quality (SENASA), Centro Regional La Pampa-San Luis, Corrientes, Santa Rosa, Argentina
| | - Elena Angón
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antón García
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ricardo H. Moralejo
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National University of La Pampa, General Pico, Argentina
- Ministerio de la Producción, Gobierno de La Pampa, Santa Rosa, Argentina
| | | | - José Perea
- Department of Animal Production, School of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Córdoba, Spain
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23
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Ginter Summarell CC, Hairgrove TB, Schroeder ME, Conley R, Bounpheng MA. Improvements in Tritrichomonas foetus molecular testing. J Vet Diagn Invest 2018; 30:603-608. [PMID: 29633923 PMCID: PMC6505897 DOI: 10.1177/1040638718767943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that results in infertility, abortion, and calf age variability. To date, management strategies include testing for Tritrichomonas foetus and culling of infected males. Challenges associated with testing include cost of culture medium, time and labor burden of sample incubation and processing, and adverse effects of bacterial growth on detection sensitivity. To overcome these challenges, we developed a direct reverse-transcription quantitative real-time PCR (direct RT-qPCR) utilizing smegma, eliminating the use of culture medium. In an analysis of 166 field samples (56 positives and 110 negatives as determined using microscopic reading of cultures as the reference test), the direct RT-qPCR exhibited 100% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas the currently employed qPCR (culture qPCR), which utilizes cultured samples, exhibited 95% diagnostic sensitivity and 100% specificity. Agreement between direct RT-qPCR and culture qPCR was 98%. Moreover, direct RT-qPCR identified 3 more positive samples and exhibited lower quantification cycle (Cq) values among positives by culture reading than did culture qPCR (direct RT-qPCR Cq range = 14.6-32.3 vs. culture qPCR Cq range = 18.7-37.4). The direct RT-qPCR enables simplified sample collection, elimination of culture medium, faster results, applicability in cows, and lower cost than culture qPCR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Megan E. Schroeder
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory, College Station, TX (Ginter Summarell, Schroeder, Bounpheng)
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service, College Station, TX (Hairgrove)
- Conley Veterinary Services, Main Street Veterinary
Clinic, Vernon, TX (Conley)
| | - Robert Conley
- Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory, College Station, TX (Ginter Summarell, Schroeder, Bounpheng)
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M AgriLife
Extension Service, College Station, TX (Hairgrove)
- Conley Veterinary Services, Main Street Veterinary
Clinic, Vernon, TX (Conley)
| | - Mangkey A. Bounpheng
- Mangkey A. Bounpheng, Texas
A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, 483 Agronomy, College Station,
TX 77840.
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24
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Filho RBDO, Malta KC, Borges JDM, Oliveira PRFD, Filho GJDS, Nascimento GG, Mota RA, Júnior JWP. Prevalence and risk factors associated with Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2018; 63:346-353. [PMID: 29654678 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2018-0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus infection and to evaluate risk factors associated with this infection among cattle in the state of Paraíba in northeastern Brazil. Samples of cervicovaginal mucus from 290 females and smegma from 59 males [beef, 31; mixed aptitude (beef and dairy), 10; and dairy, 18] from 31 farms were collected. Modified Diamond's medium and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used for the laboratory diagnosis of T. foetus infection. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to test for potential risk factors in addition to prevalence mapping. No sample was positive for T. foetus in culture, and the prevalence of T. foetus infection using PCR was 3.7% (13/349) [confidence interval (CI) 95%, 2.1%-6.4%]. In total, 19.3% (6/31) of the farms had at least one animal positive for T. foetus. The contact of females with males from other farms [Odds ratio, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.5-22.4; p = 0.009] was identified as a risk factor for T. foetus infection. This study demonstrates that T. foetus infection is prevalent among dairy cows in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. Sexual resting, removal of positive females, and avoiding contact of females with males from other farms are recommended to reduce the risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruy Brayner de Oliveira Filho
- Student from the Graduate Program in Tropical Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dois Irmãos Campus, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Karla Campos Malta
- Federal University of Paraiba (UFPB), Campus II, Center for Agricultural Sciences, University City, Areia, PB 58397-000, Brazil
| | - Jonas de Melo Borges
- Student from the Graduate Program in Tropical Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dois Irmãos Campus, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Pollyanne Raysa Fernandes de Oliveira
- Student from the Graduate Program in Tropical Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dois Irmãos Campus, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
| | | | - Glaucia Grazielle Nascimento
- Student from the Graduate Program in Tropical Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE), Dois Irmãos Campus, Av. Dom Manoel de Medeiros, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
| | - Rinaldo Aparecido Mota
- PhD, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UFRPE, Av. Dom Manoel, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
| | - José Wilton Pinheiro Júnior
- PhD, Department of Veterinary Medicine, UFRPE, Av. Dom Manoel, unnumbered, Dois Irmãos, Recife, PE 52171-900, Brazil
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25
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Rahpaya SS, Tsuchiaka S, Kishimoto M, Oba M, Katayama Y, Nunomura Y, Kokawa S, Kimura T, Kobayashi A, Kirino Y, Okabayashi T, Nonaka N, Mekata H, Aoki H, Shiokawa M, Umetsu M, Morita T, Hasebe A, Otsu K, Asai T, Yamaguchi T, Makino S, Murata Y, Abi AJ, Omatsu T, Mizutani T. Dembo polymerase chain reaction technique for detection of bovine abortion, diarrhea, and respiratory disease complex infectious agents in potential vectors and reservoirs. J Vet Sci 2018; 19:350-357. [PMID: 29284216 PMCID: PMC5974516 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2018.19.3.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine abortion, diarrhea, and respiratory disease complexes, caused by infectious agents, result in high and significant economic losses for the cattle industry. These pathogens are likely transmitted by various vectors and reservoirs including insects, birds, and rodents. However, experimental data supporting this possibility are scarce. We collected 117 samples and screened them for 44 bovine abortive, diarrheal, and respiratory disease complex pathogens by using Dembo polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is based on TaqMan real-time PCR. Fifty-seven samples were positive for at least one pathogen, including bovine viral diarrhea virus, bovine enterovirus, Salmonella enterica ser. Dublin, Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium, and Neospora caninum; some samples were positive for multiple pathogens. Bovine viral diarrhea virus and bovine enterovirus were the most frequently detected pathogens, especially in flies, suggesting an important role of flies in the transmission of these viruses. Additionally, we detected the N. caninum genome from a cockroach sample for the first time. Our data suggest that insects (particularly flies), birds, and rodents are potential vectors and reservoirs of abortion, diarrhea, and respiratory infectious agents, and that they may transmit more than one pathogen at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayed Samim Rahpaya
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Paraclinic Department, Kabul University, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
| | - Shinobu Tsuchiaka
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Mai Kishimoto
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Mami Oba
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Yukie Katayama
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Yuka Nunomura
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Saki Kokawa
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0808, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology, Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0808, Japan
| | - Yumi Kirino
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Tamaki Okabayashi
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Mekata
- Center for Animal Disease Control, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aoki
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Mai Shiokawa
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Moeko Umetsu
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Morita
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Ayako Hasebe
- Education and Research Center for Food Animal Health (GeFAH), Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Keiko Otsu
- Education and Research Center for Food Animal Health (GeFAH), Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Asai
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
- Education and Research Center for Food Animal Health (GeFAH), Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | | | - Shinji Makino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX 77555-1019, USA
| | - Yoshiteru Murata
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
| | - Ahmad Jan Abi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Paraclinic Department, Kabul University, Kabul 1006, Afghanistan
| | - Tsutomu Omatsu
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0045, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Gifu University, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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26
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Coker KE, Lim JJ, Schleisman RL, Vosloo C, French HM, Samper JC, Callanan JJ, Gilbert RO, Sithole F, Yao C, Chapwanya A. Freedom from Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle in St. Kitts. Trop Anim Health Prod 2018; 50:1171-1173. [PMID: 29430608 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-018-1537-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonosis is an endemic disease in cattle that are reared 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 were absent 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly E Coker
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Joseph J Lim
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Rebecca L Schleisman
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Christopher Vosloo
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Hilari M French
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Juan C Samper
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - John J Callanan
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Robert O Gilbert
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Fortune Sithole
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
| | - Aspinas Chapwanya
- Ross University School Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, West Indies, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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27
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Collántes-Fernández E, Fort MC, Ortega-Mora LM, Schares G. Trichomonas. PARASITIC PROTOZOA OF FARM ANIMALS AND PETS 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122547 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-70132-5_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
The most widely known trichomonad in veterinary medicine is Tritrichomonas foetus. It is the etiologic agent of bovine tritrichomonosis, a sexually transmitted disease in extensively managed herds throughout many geographic regions worldwide. The same trichomonad species is also regarded as the causative agent of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat, although more recent studies observed molecular differences between bovine- and feline-derived T. foetus. Trichomonosis in cats has a worldwide distribution and is mainly present among cats from high-density housing environments. Other trichomonads are found as inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract in birds, such as Trichomonas gallinae. Particularly, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Strigiformes, and wild Passeriformes can be severely affected by avian trichomonads. Diagnosis of trichomonosis is often complicated by the fragility of the parasite. To ensure valid test results, it is essential to collect and handle specimens in the right way prior to analysis. Cultivation tests, the specific amplification of parasites, or a combination of both test methods is the most efficient and most commonly used way to diagnose trichomonosis in animals. Bovine tritrichomonosis is mainly controlled by the identification and withdrawal of infected animals from bovine herds. The control of feline and avian trichomonosis relies mainly on preventive measures.
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28
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More S, Bøtner A, Butterworth A, Calistri P, Depner K, Edwards S, Garin-Bastuji B, Good M, Gortázar Schmidt C, Michel V, Miranda MA, Nielsen SS, Raj M, Sihvonen L, Spoolder H, Stegeman JA, Thulke HH, Velarde A, Willeberg P, Winckler C, Baldinelli F, Broglia A, Candiani D, Beltrán-Beck B, Kohnle L, Bicout D. Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): Trichomonosis. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04992. [PMID: 32625289 PMCID: PMC7009924 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichomonosis has been assessed according to the criteria of the Animal Health Law (AHL), in particular criteria of Article 7 on disease profile and impacts, Article 5 on the eligibility of trichomonosis to be listed, Article 9 for the categorisation of trichomonosis according to disease prevention and control rules as in Annex IV and Article 8 on the list of animal species related to trichomonosis. The assessment has been performed following a methodology composed of information collection and compilation, expert judgement on each criterion at individual and, if no consensus was reached before, also at collective level. The output is composed of the categorical answer, and for the questions where no consensus was reached, the different supporting views are reported. Details on the methodology used for this assessment are explained in a separate opinion. According to the assessment performed, trichomonosis can be considered eligible to be listed for Union intervention as laid down in Article 5(3) of the AHL. The disease would comply with the criteria as in sections 3, 4 and 5 of Annex IV of the AHL, for the application of the disease prevention and control rules referred to in points (c), (d) and (e) of Article 9(1). The animal species to be listed for trichomonosis according to Article 8(3) criteria is cattle as susceptible and reservoir.
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29
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Rigo GV, Trein MR, da Silva Trentin D, Macedo AJ, de Oliveira BA, de Almeida AM, Giordani RB, de Almeida MV, Tasca T. Diamine derivative anti-Trichomonas vaginalis and anti-Tritrichomonas foetus activities by effect on polyamine metabolism. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 95:847-855. [PMID: 28903180 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human and bovine trichomoniasis are sexually transmitted diseases (STD) caused by Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus, respectively. Human trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral STD in the world and bovine trichomoniasis causes significant economic losses to breeders. Considering the significant impact of the infections caused by these protozoa and the treatment failures, the search for new therapeutic alternatives becomes crucial. In this study the effect of diamines and amino alcohols in the in vitro viability of trichomonads was evaluated. Screening demonstrated the high activity of diamine 4 against these protozoa. Although cytotoxicity against HMVII cell line and slight hemolysis were observed in vitro, the compound showed no toxic effect on the Galleria mellonella in vivo model. Importantly, diamine 4 was active against both trichomonads species at 6h and 24h of incubation, and these effects was reverted by putrescine, a polyamine, suggesting competition for the same metabolic pathway. These findings indicate that the mechanism of action of diamine 4 is through the polyamine metabolism, a pathway distinct from that presented by metronidazole, the drug usually used to treat trichomoniasis and to which resistance is widely reported. These data demonstrate the importance of diamines as potential novel candidates as anti-T. vaginalis and anti-T. foetus agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graziela Vargas Rigo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Márcia Rodrigues Trein
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Danielle da Silva Trentin
- Faculdade de Farmácia e Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre/RS, 90610-000, Brazil; Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre/RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Alexandre José Macedo
- Faculdade de Farmácia e Centro de Biotecnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre/RS, 90610-000, Brazil
| | - Bruno Assis de Oliveira
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Cidade Universitária, Campos Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Angelina Maria de Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Cidade Universitária, Campos Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Raquel Brandt Giordani
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Gustavo Cordeiro de Faria, SN, 59010-180, Natal-RN, Brazil
| | - Mauro Vieira de Almeida
- Departamento de Química, Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Cidade Universitária, Campos Martelos, 36036-900 Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | - Tiana Tasca
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Parasitologia, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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30
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Schaut RG, Corbeil LB, Blake CN, Brewer MT. Development of a bead-agglutination assay for rapid detection of Tritrichomonas foetus. Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:188-191. [PMID: 28807292 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated protozoan parasite that causes inflammation of the reproductive tract leading to early embryonic death and abortion in cattle, thereby resulting in significant economic losses. Testing and culling infected bulls is an important strategy for parasite control. Routine testing is mainly limited to bulls that are traveling across state lines or within states that have specific control programs. Both culture and PCR detection methods are available, but they are not typically conducted as part of a yearly breeding soundness program and are not easily conducted in the field. In the present study, we developed a bead agglutination assay for detection of T. foetus antigens. Our experiments revealed that latex beads conjugated to T. foetus lipophosphoglycan-binding antibodies visibly clump in the presence of T. foetus. The detection limit of the assay, determined using both field and laboratory isolates of the parasite, was 0.25μg/mL and 1.0μg/mL total T. foetus antigen, respectively. Our results indicate that an antigen detection test could offer a tool for screening bulls under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Schaut
- National Animal Disease Center, Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, United States
| | - Lynette B Corbeil
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, United States
| | | | - Matthew T Brewer
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
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31
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Love D, Fajt VR, Hairgrove T, Jones M, Thompson JA. Metronidazole for the treatment of Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls. BMC Vet Res 2017; 13:107. [PMID: 28410582 PMCID: PMC5391598 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-017-0999-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tritrichomonas foetus is a sexually transmitted protozoon that causes reproductive failure, among cattle, so disruptive that many western US states have initiated control programs. Current control programs are based on the testing and exclusion of individual bulls. Unfortunately, these programs are utilizing screening tests that are lacking in sensitivity. Blanket treatment of all the exposed bulls and adequate sexual rest for the exposed cows could provide a more viable disease control option. The objectives of this study were twofold. The first objective was to demonstrate effectiveness for metronidazole treatment of a bull under ideal conditions and with an optimized treatment regime. This type of study with a single subject is often referred to as an n-of-1 or single subject clinical trial. The second objective of the current study was to review the scientific basis for the banning of metronidazole for use in Food Animals by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA). RESULTS Results from an antimicrobial assay indicated that metronidazole at a concentration of 0.5 μg/mL successfully eliminated in vitro protozoal growth of bovine Tritrichomonas foetus. The estimated effective intravenous dose was two treatments with 60 mg/kg metronidazole, 24 h apart. A bull that had tested positive for Tritrichomonas foetus culture at weekly intervals for 5 weeks prior to treatment was negative for Tritrichomonas foetus culture at weekly intervals for five consecutive weeks following this treatment regimen. An objective evaluation of the published evidence on the potential public health significance of using metronidazole to treat Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls provides encouragement for veterinarians and regulators to consider approaches that might lead to permitting the legal use of metronidazole in bulls. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated successful inhibition of Tritrichomonas foetus both in vitro and in vivo with metronidazole. The current status of metronidazole is that the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 prohibits its extra-label use in food-producing animals. Veterinarians and regulators should consider approaches that might lead to permitting the legal use of metronidazole in bulls.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Love
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Virginia R Fajt
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Thomas Hairgrove
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Meredyth Jones
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - James A Thompson
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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32
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Fuchs LI, Fort MC, Cano D, Bonetti CM, Giménez HD, Vázquez PM, Bacigalupe D, Breccia JD, Campero CM, Oyhenart JA. Clearance of Tritrichomonas foetus in experimentally infected heifers protected with vaccines based on killed-T. foetus with different adjuvants. Vaccine 2017; 35:1341-1346. [PMID: 28185741 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated protozoan that causes a sexually transmitted disease in cattle. Trichomonosis is characterized by early abortions, subfertility and a significant decrease in productivity. Vaccine preparations containing whole T. foetus can reduce the time of residence of the pathogen in the host cervix after experimental infection. Here, T. foetus vaccines prepared with different adjuvants were tested, in parallel with a commercial vaccine, for their efficacy to clear the infection. The median time for clearance of infection was 69days in non-immunized animals, 55days in animals treated with aluminum hydroxide, 41days with oil-in-water or saponin based vaccines or with a commercial vaccine and 27days in animals treated with saponin plus aluminum hydroxide. A slight increase in the risk of T. foetus clearance from the genital tract was found with the saponin based vaccine (hazard ratio, 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-6.17) or the commercial vaccine (hazard ratio, 2.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-6.38). A significant increase in the risk of T. foetus clearance was found with the combination of saponin plus aluminum hydroxide based vaccine (hazard ratio, 5.12; 95% confidence interval, 2.04-12.83).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lumila I Fuchs
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 5 km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Marcelo C Fort
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 5 km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Dora Cano
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Carina M Bonetti
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 5 km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Hugo D Giménez
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 5 km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Pablo M Vázquez
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Ruta 5 km 580, Anguil, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Diana Bacigalupe
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), Argentina
| | - Javier D Breccia
- INCITAP, CONICET-UNLPam, Uruguay 151, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - Carlos M Campero
- Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), 7620 Balcarce, Argentina
| | - Jorge A Oyhenart
- INCITAP, CONICET-UNLPam, Uruguay 151, Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina.
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33
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Bibo-Verdugo B, Jiang Z, Caffrey CR, O'Donoghue AJ. Targeting proteasomes in infectious organisms to combat disease. FEBS J 2017; 284:1503-1517. [PMID: 28122162 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Proteasomes are multisubunit, energy-dependent, proteolytic complexes that play an essential role in intracellular protein turnover. They are present in eukaryotes, archaea, and in some actinobacteria species. Inhibition of proteasome activity has emerged as a powerful strategy for anticancer therapy and three drugs have been approved for treatment of multiple myeloma. These compounds react covalently with a threonine residue located in the active site of a proteasome subunit to block protein degradation. Proteasomes in pathogenic organisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum also have a nucleophilic threonine residue in the proteasome active site and are therefore sensitive to these anticancer drugs. This review summarizes efforts to validate the proteasome in pathogenic organisms as a therapeutic target. We describe several strategies that have been used to develop inhibitors with increased potency and selectivity for the pathogen proteasome relative to the human proteasome. In addition, we highlight a cell-based chemical screening approach that identified a potent, allosteric inhibitor of proteasomes found in Leishmania and Trypanosoma species. Finally, we discuss the development of proteasome inhibitors as anti-infective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Betsaida Bibo-Verdugo
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhenze Jiang
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Conor R Caffrey
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anthony J O'Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.,Center for Discovery and Innovation in Parasitic Diseases, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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34
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Veronesi F, Gazzonis AL, Napoli E, Brianti E, Santoro A, Zanzani SA, Olivieri E, Diaferia M, Giannetto S, Pennisi MG, Manfredi MT. Cross-sectional survey on Tritrichomonas foetus infection in Italian cats. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2016; 6:14-19. [PMID: 31014522 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The feline genotype of Tritrichomonas foetus is a widespread cause of large-bowel diarrhoea in cats. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the T. foetus infection in cat populations across Italy. Fresh, individual faecal samples were collected from 267 cats, kept in different environments (i.e., private households, breeding structures, municipal catteries and colonies) in three different sites across Italy. The faecal samples were tested by PCR to detect T. foetus. Moreover, the same samples were subjected to a concentration-flotation technique and a commercial direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) test to detect additional enteric parasites, including Giardia duodenalis. The overall prevalence of T. foetus infection was 5.2%. All the infected cats showed diarrhoea at the time of sampling: 9 out of 14 positive cats were co-infected with G. duodenalis, 1 with Toxocara cati and 3 with Dipylidium caninum. The risk factor analysis showed that not only the breed, but also co-infections with G. duodenalis and Dipylidium caninum were significantly associated with the presence of T. foetus. This study confirms the presence of T. foetus in cats living in Italy, suggesting that this protozoan parasite should always be included in the differential diagnosis of patients referred with large-bowel disease symptoms, especially if they were purebred animals, or affected by other enteric protozoa, such as G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Veronesi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - A L Gazzonis
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Napoli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - E Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - A Santoro
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S A Zanzani
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - E Olivieri
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - M Diaferia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy
| | - S Giannetto
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M G Pennisi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Italy
| | - M T Manfredi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy.
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35
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Dewell GA, Phillips PE, Dohlman TM, Harmon KM, Gauger PC. Validation of a gauze sponge sampling methodology to detect Tritrichomonas foetus by real-time PCR. J Vet Diagn Invest 2016; 28:595-8. [PMID: 27400955 DOI: 10.1177/1040638716653637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis is a concern for the cattle industry. Advances in testing systems have increased the ability to detect the disease in bulls. However, the greatest limitation is proper collection of an adequate sample. The low repeatability observed with most sample collection techniques can cause false-negative results. The aim of our study was to validate a sample collection technique that increases diagnostic sensitivity and is easier and safer to collect than preputial scraping. Commercial bulls (n = 111) of unknown infection status were sampled for detection of Tritrichomonas foetus using 2 different collection methods: 1) preputial scraping with a dry insemination pipette and 2) penile sponging with a 16-ply gauze sponge. Preputial scraping samples were collected by vigorously scraping preputial and penile mucosa using a rigid insemination pipette while applying negative pressure with a syringe. Penile sponge samples were obtained by swabbing the penile and preputial mucosa with a gauze sponge during full extension of the penis. All samples were processed using a commercial medium and submitted under similar conditions for PCR testing. Positive PCR results were detected in 37 of 111 (33%) bulls using the preputial scraping technique; however, 39 of 111 (35%) were positive using the penile sponging technique. The Newton-Raphson algorithm predicted that the sensitivity of the preputial scraping method was 0.919 (95% CI: 0.689-0.983) and the sensitivity of the penile sponging was 0.949 (95% CI: 0.818-0.987). These data indicate that the penile sponging technique is a reliable alternative to the preputial scraping method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant A Dewell
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Patrick E Phillips
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Tyler M Dohlman
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Karen M Harmon
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Phil C Gauger
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
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Pereira-Neves A, Gonzaga L, Menna-Barreto RFS, Benchimol M. Characterisation of 20S Proteasome in Tritrichomonas foetus and Its Role during the Cell Cycle and Transformation into Endoflagellar Form. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129165. [PMID: 26047503 PMCID: PMC4457923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasomes are intracellular complexes that control selective protein degradation in organisms ranging from Archaea to higher eukaryotes. These structures have multiple proteolytic activities that are required for cell differentiation, replication and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Here, we document the presence of the 20S proteasome in the protist parasite Tritrichomonas foetus. Complementary techniques, such as a combination of whole genome sequencing technologies, bioinformatics algorithms, cell fractionation and biochemistry and microscopy approaches were used to characterise the 20S proteasome of T. foetus. The 14 homologues of the typical eukaryotic proteasome subunits were identified in the T. foetus genome. Alignment analyses showed that the main regulatory and catalytic domains of the proteasome were conserved in the predicted amino acid sequences from T. foetus-proteasome subunits. Immunofluorescence assays using an anti-proteasome antibody revealed a labelling distributed throughout the cytosol as punctate cytoplasmic structures and in the perinuclear region. Electron microscopy of a T. foetus-proteasome-enriched fraction confirmed the presence of particles that resembled the typical eukaryotic 20S proteasome. Fluorogenic assays using specific peptidyl substrates detected presence of the three typical peptidase activities of eukaryotic proteasomes in T. foetus. As expected, these peptidase activities were inhibited by lactacystin, a well-known specific proteasome inhibitor, and were not affected by inhibitors of serine or cysteine proteases. During the transformation of T. foetus to endoflagellar form (EFF), also known as pseudocyst, we observed correlations between the EFF formation rates, increases in the proteasome activities and reduced levels of ubiquitin-protein conjugates. The growth, cell cycle and EFF transformation of T. foetus were inhibited after treatment with lactacystin in a dose-dependent manner. Lactacystin treatment also resulted in an accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins and caused increase in the amount of endoplasmic reticulum membranes in the parasite. Taken together, our results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is required for cell cycle and EFF transformation in T. foetus.
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MESH Headings
- Acetylcysteine/analogs & derivatives
- Acetylcysteine/pharmacology
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Cycle
- Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Endoplasmic Reticulum/drug effects
- Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism
- Endoplasmic Reticulum/ultrastructure
- Flagella/metabolism
- Flagella/ultrastructure
- Life Cycle Stages/drug effects
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/classification
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/genetics
- Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism
- Protein Subunits/antagonists & inhibitors
- Protein Subunits/genetics
- Protein Subunits/metabolism
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/metabolism
- Protozoan Proteins/ultrastructure
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Spores, Protozoan/drug effects
- Spores, Protozoan/metabolism
- Spores, Protozoan/ultrastructure
- Tritrichomonas foetus/genetics
- Tritrichomonas foetus/growth & development
- Tritrichomonas foetus/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Pereira-Neves
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Fiocruz, Centro de Pesquisa Aggeu Magalhães, Departamento de Microbiologia, Laboratório de Microbiologia e Biologia Celular, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Gonzaga
- Laboratório Nacional de Computação Cientifica (LNCC/MCT), Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Marlene Benchimol
- Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia de Biologia Estrutural e Bioimagem, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- UNIGRANRIO- Universidade do Grande Rio, Duque de Caxias, RJ, Brazil
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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Yao C. Tritrichomonas foetus infections in female beef cattle with abortion in Wyoming, USA. JMM Case Rep 2015. [DOI: 10.1099/jmmcr.0.000028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
- One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
- Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
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Yao C, Köster LS. Tritrichomonas foetus infection, a cause of chronic diarrhea in the domestic cat. Vet Res 2015; 46:35. [PMID: 25880025 PMCID: PMC4364588 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-015-0169-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. .,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
| | - Liza S Köster
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies. .,One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
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Morin-Adeline V, Lomas R, O’Meally D, Stack C, Conesa A, Šlapeta J. Comparative transcriptomics reveals striking similarities between the bovine and feline isolates of Tritrichomonas foetus: consequences for in silico drug-target identification. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:955. [PMID: 25374366 PMCID: PMC4247702 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few, if any, protozoan parasites are reported to exhibit extreme organ tropism like the flagellate Tritrichomonas foetus. In cattle, T. foetus infects the reproductive system causing abortion, whereas the infection in cats results in chronic large bowel diarrhoea. In the absence of a T. foetus genome, we utilized a de novo approach to assemble the transcriptome of the bovine and feline genotype to identify host-specific adaptations and virulence factors specific to each genotype. Furthermore, a subset of orthologs was used to characterize putative druggable targets and expose complications of in silico drug target mining in species with indefinite host-ranges. RESULTS Illumina RNA-seq reads were assembled into two representative bovine and feline transcriptomes containing 42,363 and 36,559 contigs, respectively. Coding and non-coding regions of the genome libraries revealed striking similarities, with 24,620 shared homolog pairs reduced down to 7,547 coding orthologs between the two genotypes. The transcriptomes were near identical in functional category distribution; with no indication of selective pressure acting on orthologs despite differences in parasite origins/host. Orthologs formed a large proportion of highly expressed transcripts in both genotypes (bovine genotype: 76%, feline genotype: 56%). Mining the libraries for protease virulence factors revealed the cysteine proteases (CP) to be the most common. In total, 483 and 445 bovine and feline T. foetus transcripts were identified as putative proteases based on MEROPS database, with 9 hits to putative protease inhibitors. In bovine T. foetus, CP8 is the preferentially transcribed CP while in the feline genotype, transcription of CP7 showed higher abundance. In silico druggability analysis of the two genotypes revealed that when host sequences are taken into account, drug targets are genotype-specific. CONCLUSION Gene discovery analysis based on RNA-seq data analysis revealed prominent similarities between the bovine and feline T. foetus, suggesting recent adaptation to their respective host/niche. T. foetus represents a unique case of a mammalian protozoan expanding its parasitic grasp across distantly related host lineages. Consequences of the host-range for in silico drug targeting are exposed here, demonstrating that targets of the parasite in one host are not necessarily ideal for the same parasite in another host.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rodrigo Lomas
- />Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Prince Felipe Research Centre, Valencia, Spain
| | - Denis O’Meally
- />Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006 Australia
| | - Colin Stack
- />School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Penrith, New South Wales 2751 Australia
| | - Ana Conesa
- />Genomics of Gene Expression Lab, Prince Felipe Research Centre, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- />Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006 Australia
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40
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Collantes-Fernández E, Mendoza-Ibarra JA, Pedraza-Díaz S, Rojo-Montejo S, Navarro-Lozano V, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ruiz-Santa-Quiteria JA, Ortega-Mora LM, Osoro K. Efficacy of a control program for bovine trichomonosis based on testing and culling infected bulls in beef cattle managed under mountain pastoral systems of Northern Spain. Vet J 2014; 200:140-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Jin Y, Schumaker B, Logan J, Yao C. Risk factors associated with bovine trichomoniasis in beef cattle identified by a questionnaire. J Med Microbiol 2014; 63:896-902. [PMID: 24623635 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.074971-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine trichomoniasis is a venereal disease that causes substantial economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. It has been endemic in the USA since its discovery in the 1930s. The reasons for this long-lasting endemism are poorly understood. The main objective of this study was to identify herd-level risk factors for trichomoniasis in Wyoming beef cattle. A questionnaire was sent to all Wyoming beef cattle producers. The overall response proportion was 23.4 %. Questionnaires were returned from producers throughout the state in different geographical regions and with various herd sizes. In total, 863 questionnaires were analysed for correlation between the disease endemism and 25 variables. Tritrichomonas foetus infections were found to be significantly (P<0.05) associated with neighbouring a positive herd(s), grazing on public allotments and commingling with other herds. In addition, a delay in fixing broken fences approached statistical significance (P = 0.078). This study provides producers with valuable information and useful suggestions on how to effectively control and reduce the risks of bovine trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzhu Jin
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
| | - Brant Schumaker
- Department of Veterinary Sciences and Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
| | - Jim Logan
- Wyoming Livestock Board, 610 Fairground Road, Riverton, WY 82501, USA
| | - Chaoqun Yao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and One Health Center for Zoonoses and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, PO Box 334, Basseterre, St Kitts, West Indies.,Department of Veterinary Sciences and Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82070, USA
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42
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Effinger L, Peddireddi L, Simunich M, Oberst R, O'Connell C, Leyva-Baca I. Pooling of cultured samples and comparison of multistate laboratory workflows with the MagMAX sample preparation system and VetMAX quantitative polymerase chain reaction reagents for detection of Tritrichomonas foetus-colonized bulls. J Vet Diagn Invest 2013; 26:72-87. [PMID: 24343558 DOI: 10.1177/1040638713510003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the current study were 1) to compare sample preparation workflows and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays (qPCR) as currently used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories with a study protocol utilizing commercially available reagents for individual Tritrichomonas foetus testing, 2) to assess the accuracy of pooling cultured smegma samples followed by extraction and qPCR testing as used in the study laboratory, and 3) to assess the specificity of the currently used primers and probes by sequencing all positive and presumptive positive samples identified in the study laboratory in an attempt to capture any nucleotide variability between T. foetus isolates and to rule out false-positive results possibly due to Simplicimonas moskowitzi. Eight hundred three cultured smegma samples were collected from different regions of the United States with the collaboration of 5 veterinary testing laboratories. The samples were processed individually by the respective laboratories, and then sent to the study laboratory and retested using the study protocol. Comparison testing showed an overall agreement of 95.89% between the veterinary testing laboratories and the study laboratory. One hundred seventy-six positive or presumptive positive samples plus 625 negative qPCR samples were combined and retested using a pooling protocol. Pools consisted of 1 positive sample and 4 negative samples (1/5). These pools were processed using the same study laboratory protocols, and 96% of the positive samples were detected in these pools. Nested PCR followed by sequencing confirmed 175 of the 178 samples classified as positive or presumptive positive in the study laboratory as containing T. foetus-specific DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Effinger
- 1Ivan Leyva-Baca, Animal Health and Food Safety Group at Life Technologies, 2130 Woodward Street, Austin, TX 78744.
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García Guerra A, Hill JE, Waldner CL, Campbell J, Hendrick S. Sensitivity of a real-time polymerase chain reaction for Tritrichomonas fetus in direct individual and pooled preputial samples. Theriogenology 2013; 80:1097-103. [PMID: 24054553 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2013] [Revised: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of a commercially available real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of Tritrichomonas fetus in individual and pooled direct preputial samples. Two samples were collected and processed once a week from nine T. fetus-infected bulls (n = 121) and placed into either an InPouch TF or 2 mL of PBS. Preputial samples were also collected into both media and PBS from 1016 other bulls. All pouches were cultured and evaluated as per manufacturer's instructions. The prepuce samples collected directly into PBS were individually evaluated using real-time PCR by a commercial diagnostic laboratory. Direct preputial samples were then randomly divided for pooling into groups of 5 and 10 samples, ensuring that every pool had one sample from a known infected bull before testing using real-time PCR. Sensitivity was estimated for culture and real-time PCR of the 121 direct and culture-enriched individual samples from nine infected bulls. There were no differences (P = 0.12) among the sensitivity estimates for culture, 95.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.6%-97.7%); real-time PCR of culture-enriched samples, 95.9% (95% CI: 90.7-98.2); and direct preputial samples, 90.1% (95% CI: 83.5-94.2). There was also no significant difference (P = 0.08) between the sensitivity of real-time PCR for direct preputial samples in 110 pools of 5 (83.6%, 95% CI: 75.6-89.4) or 10 samples (77.3%, 95% CI: 68.6-84.1). The use of three sequential direct samples, collected in PBS at weekly intervals and tested by real-time PCR, increased the sensitivity to 100% for pools of 5 and 96% for pools of 10. In conclusion, direct preputial samples collected in PBS and tested by real-time PCR individually have comparable sensitivity to culture and real-time PCR in enriched samples. The use of pooled direct preputial samples appears to be relatively sensitive. However, this strategy requires repeated sampling to optimize sensitivity. Real-time PCR testing of preputial samples collected directly into PBS with the option of pooling would decrease the cost associated with screening bulls, and increase the feasibility of large epidemiological studies and active surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A García Guerra
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
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