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Chen DQ, Wang QY, Li QQ, Luo XY, Wu XH, Wang JP, Gao SC, Liu XC, Li W. The First Report of Tritrichomonas Foetus and Tetratrichomonas Buttreyi in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes Procyonoides) in China. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1352-1358. [PMID: 38888726 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00858-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the trichomonosis in raccoon dogs in China had occurred frequently. Pentatrichomonas hominis had been described in raccoon dogs in China in some previous studies. PURPOSE TO REVEAL: whether raccoon dogs can be infected by other trichomonad species besides P. hominis, and clarify the prevalence and species distribution of trichomonad in raccoon dogs. METHODS Herein, the 389 fecal samples were collected from farm-raised raccoon dogs in Hebei Province, all the samples were detected using the microscopic examination and several fecal samples containing trichomonad-like organisms were processed, cultured, stained, and photographed. Meanwhile, all the samples were screened by the species-specific nested PCR based on the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene of P. hominis,Tritrichomonas foetus and Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, respectively, and all positive secondary PCR amplications obtained in this study were sequenced, aligned and analysed. RESULTS 62 fecal samples (15.9%,62/389) were trichomonad-positive under light microscopy, and the trichomonad-like cells were clearly observed in the culture contents. The PCR results showed that 100 samples were trichomonad-positive, including 45 P. hominis-positive samples (11.6%,45/389), 32 T. foetus-positive samples (8.2%,32/389), and 33 T. buttreyi-positive samples (8.5%,33/389), respectively. Double mixed infections were observed in 10 samples. The prevalence of T. foetus and P. hominis were both significantly higher in raccoon dogs with diarrhea (13.9%, and 25.0%) than that in raccoon dogs without diarrhea (7.6%, and 9.3%) (p < 0.05).All samples confirmed as trichomonad-positive under microscopy were also found to be trichomonad-positive by PCR analysis. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the sequences obtained in this study belonged to P. hominis, T. foetus and T. buttreyi SSU rRNA, respectively. Among them, the T. buttreyi SSU rRNA sequences obtained in this study harbored the new sequence polymorphisms. Based on preliminary morphological and molecular analyses, raccoon dogs are considered as the new host of T. foetus and T. buttreyi. CONCLUSION This is the first report about the identifcation and prevalence of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in raccoon dogs in China, and the results increase our knowledge about the host range and prevalence of trichomonad species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Qian Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Qiu-Yue Wang
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hebei Province, Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, Qinhuangdao, 066000, China
| | - Qiao-Qiao Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Xin-Yu Luo
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Xing-Hua Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Ji-Pu Wang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Si-Chao Gao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - Xin-Chao Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China
| | - WenChao Li
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Animal Nutritional Regulation and Health, College of Animal Science, Anhui Science and Technology University, Fengyang, 233100, China.
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Rivero MB, Alonso AM, Abdala ME, Luque ME, Carranza PG, Coceres VM, Rivero FD. Comparative membrane proteomic analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus isolates. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17033. [PMID: 39043862 PMCID: PMC11266394 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67827-8] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated and anaerobic parasite able to infect cattle and felines. Despite its prevalence, there is no effective standardized or legal treatment for T. foetus-infected cattle; the vaccination still has limited success in mitigating infections and reducing abortion risk; and nowadays, the diagnosis of T. foetus presents important limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity in bovines. Here, we characterize the plasma membrane proteome of T. foetus and identify proteins that are represented in different isolates of this protozoan. Additionally, we performed a bioinformatic analysis that revealed the antigenicity potential of some of those proteins. This analysis is the first study to identify common proteins at the plasma membrane of different T. foetus isolates that could be targets for alternative diagnostic or vaccine techniques in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria B Rivero
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Inmunología y Microbiología (LaBIM), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Andrés M Alonso
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, B7130IWA, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria E Abdala
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Inmunología y Microbiología (LaBIM), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias (FAyA-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Melchor E Luque
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Inmunología y Microbiología (LaBIM), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias (FAyA-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Pedro G Carranza
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Inmunología y Microbiología (LaBIM), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
- Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias (FAyA-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina
| | - Veronica M Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, B7130IWA, Chascomús, Argentina.
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Fernando D Rivero
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Inmunología y Microbiología (LaBIM), Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo (IMSaTeD), CONICET-UNSE, Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (FCM-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
- Facultad de Agronomía y Agroindustrias (FAyA-UNSE), Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
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3
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Wang ZR, Fan QX, Wang JL, Zhang S, Wang YX, Zhang ZD, Gao WW, Zhu XQ, Liu Q. Molecular Identification and Survey of Trichomonad Species in Pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. Vet Sci 2024; 11:203. [PMID: 38787175 PMCID: PMC11125679 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11050203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available regarding the prevalence of trichomonads in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this province were examined for Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Pentatrichomonas hominis using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi was 49.72%, and region and age were found to be significantly associated with T. buttreyi infection, respectively. Only one pig fecal sample from Qi County was found to be positive for T. foetus, and all samples were negative for P. hominis. Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that some T. buttreyi isolates showed complete genetic identity with those reported previously, and some T. buttreyi isolates and one T. foetus isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. This is the report of the molecular epidemiology of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. These findings not only enrich the knowledge on the distribution of these trichomonad species in pigs in China but also provide baseline information for planning future research and control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Rui Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Qing-Xin Fan
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Jin-Long Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Yu-Xuan Wang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Ze-Dong Zhang
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Wen-Wei Gao
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
| | - Xing-Quan Zhu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health of Higher Education of Yunnan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China; (Z.-R.W.); (Q.-X.F.); (J.-L.W.); (S.Z.); (Y.-X.W.); (Z.-D.Z.); (W.-W.G.); (X.-Q.Z.)
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Najera J, Berry MM, Ramirez AD, Reyes BR, Angel A, Jellyman JK, Mercer F. Bovine neutrophils kill the sexually-transmitted parasite Tritrichomonas foetus using trogocytosis. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:865-875. [PMID: 37968413 PMCID: PMC10998815 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10260-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus (T. foetus) is the causative organism of bovine trichomonosis (also referred to as trichomoniasis), a sexually-transmitted infection that reduces fertility in cattle. Efforts to control trichomonosis on cattle farms are hindered by the discouragement of antibiotic use in agriculture, and the incomplete, short-lived protection conferred by the current vaccines. A more complete mechanistic understanding of what effective immunity to T. foetus entails could enable the development of more robust infection control strategies. While neutrophils, the primary responders to infection, are present in infected tissues and have been shown to kill the parasite in vitro, the mechanism they use for parasite killing has not been established. Here, we show that primary bovine neutrophils isolated from peripheral blood rapidly kill T. foetus in vitro in a dose-dependent manner, and that optimal parasite killing is reduced by inhibitors of trogocytosis. We also use imaging to show that bovine neutrophils surround T. foetus and trogocytose its membrane. These findings are consistent with killing via trogocytosis, a recently described novel neutrophil antimicrobial mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Najera
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Michael M Berry
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Ashley D Ramirez
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Bryan Ramirez Reyes
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Arielle Angel
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Juanita K Jellyman
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
| | - Frances Mercer
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA.
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5
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Euan-Canto A, Torres-Romero JC, Alvarez-Sánchez ME, Arana-Argáez VE, Acosta-Viana K, Ceballos-Góngora E, Vázquez-Carrillo L, Alvarez-Sánchez L. Activation of murine macrophages by membrane proteins from Tritrichomonas foetus grown on iron- and calcium-rich conditions. Parasite Immunol 2024; 46:e13020. [PMID: 38275198 DOI: 10.1111/pim.13020] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan parasite that causes a venereal disease in cattle limiting reproduction by abortions and sterility. The immune response against this parasite is poorly understood. Since the iron and calcium ions are important regulators of the microenvironment of the urogenital tract in cattle, we decided to evaluate the role of these divalent cations on the antigenicity of membrane proteins of T. foetus on macrophage activation as one of the first inflammatory responses towards this pathogen. Colorimetric methods and ELISA were used to detect the nitric oxide and oxygen peroxide production and expression of cytokines in culture supernatant from macrophage incubated with membrane proteins from T. foetus cultured in iron- and calcium-rich conditions. qRT-PCR assays were used to evaluate the transcript expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response on the macrophages. The membrane proteins used for in vitro stimulation caused the up-regulation of the iNOS and NOX-2 genes as well as the generation of NO and H2 O2 in murine macrophages on a dependent way of the metal concentrations. Additionally, after stimulation, macrophages showed a considerable rise in pro-inflammatory cytokines and a downregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as up-regulation in the transcription of the TLR4 and MyD88 genes. These data suggest that membrane proteins of T. foetus induced by iron and calcium can activate an inflammatory specific macrophage response via TLR4/MyD88 signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Euan-Canto
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Julio César Torres-Romero
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | | | - Victor Ermilo Arana-Argáez
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Karla Acosta-Viana
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Emanuel Ceballos-Góngora
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
| | - Laura Vázquez-Carrillo
- Posgrado en Ciencias Genómicas, Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Leidi Alvarez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
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Ceballos-Góngora E, Torres-Romero JC, Arana-Argáez VE, Alvarez-Sánchez ME, Acosta-Viana K, Euan-Canto A, Alvarez-Sánchez LC. Exposure of Tritrichomonas foetus to sublethal doses of metronidazole induces a specific proinflammatory response in murine macrophages. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2024; 71:e13000. [PMID: 37667470 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.13000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated parasite that primarily infects the reproductive tissues of livestock, causing bovine trichomoniasis. The cytoplasmic membrane of T. foetus contains various compounds that contribute to adherence, colonization, and pathogenicity. Metronidazole (MTZ) is the main treatment for trichomoniasis, but the emergence of drug-resistant strains is a concern due to improper use and dosing. T. foetus infection induces inflammation, and macrophages are key players in the immune response. However, our understanding of the host's immune response to T. foetus is limited, and the specific mechanisms underlying these responses are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the impact of T. foetus surface proteins from trophozoites cultured under different sublethal MTZ conditions (MTZ-treated T. foetus MPs) on macrophage activation. By analyzing cytokine levels and gene expression in murine macrophages, we demonstrated that MTZ-treated T. foetus MPs induce a specific proinflammatory response. MTZ-treated T. foetus MPs-exposed macrophages exhibited a higher NO and H2 O2 production and overexpression of iNOS and NOX-2 genes in comparison to untreated T. foetus. Additionally, MTZ-treated T. foetus MPs triggered a significant induction of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, as well as the overexpression of the TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB genes on murine macrophages. The study aimed to unravel the immunological response and potential proinflammatory pathways involved in T. foetus infection and MTZ stress. Understanding the immune responses and mechanisms through which T. foetus surface proteins activate macrophages can contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies for controlling bovine trichomoniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Ceballos-Góngora
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
| | - Julio César Torres-Romero
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
| | | | | | - Karla Acosta-Viana
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigaciones Regionales "Dr. Hideyo Noguchi", Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
| | - Antonio Euan-Canto
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
- Laboratorio de Farmacología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
| | - Leidi Cristal Alvarez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Genética Molecular, Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico
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Martínez CI, Iriarte LS, Salas N, Alonso AM, Pruzzo CI, dos Santos Melo T, Pereira-Neves A, de Miguel N, Coceres VM. Prolonged survival of venereal Tritrichomonas foetus parasite in the gastrointestinal tract, bovine fecal extract, and water. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0042923. [PMID: 37800972 PMCID: PMC10714773 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00429-23] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Nowadays, the routine herd diagnosis is usually performed exclusively on bulls, as they remain permanently infected, and prevention and control of Tritrichomonas foetus transmission are based on identifying infected animals and culling practices. The existence of other forms of transmission and the possible role of pseudocysts or cyst-like structures as resistant forms requires rethinking the current management and control of this parasitic disease in the future in some livestock regions of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian I. Martínez
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucrecia S. Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Nehuen Salas
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés M. Alonso
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Cesar I. Pruzzo
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Investigaciones Veterinarias, FCV-UNLP, Chascomús, Argentina
| | - Tuanne dos Santos Melo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Antonio Pereira-Neves
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Fiocruz, Instituto Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Veronica M. Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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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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Iriarte LS, Martinez CI, de Miguel N, Coceres VM. Tritrichomonas foetus Cell Division Involves DNA Endoreplication and Multiple Fissions. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0325122. [PMID: 36728437 PMCID: PMC10100903 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03251-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus and Trichomonas vaginalis are extracellular flagellated parasites that inhabit animals and humans, respectively. Cell division is a crucial process in most living organisms that leads to the formation of 2 daughter cells from a single mother cell. It has been assumed that T. vaginalis and T. foetus modes of reproduction are exclusively by binary fission. However, here, we showed that multinuclearity is a phenomenon regularly observed in different T. foetus and T. vaginalis strains in standard culture conditions. Additionally, we revealed that nutritional depletion or nutritional deprivation led to different dormant phenotypes. Although multinucleated T. foetus are mostly observed during nutritional depletion, numerous cells with 1 larger nucleus have been observed under nutritional deprivation conditions. In both cases, when the standard culture media conditions are restored, the cytoplasm of these multinucleated cells separates, and numerous parasites are generated in a short period of time by the fission multiple. We also revealed that DNA endoreplication occurs both in large and multiple nuclei of parasites under nutritional deprivation and depletion conditions, suggesting an important function in stress nutritional situations. These results provide valuable data about the cell division process of these extracellular parasites. IMPORTANCE Nowadays, it's known that T. foetus and T. vaginalis generate daughter cells by binary fission. Here, we report that both parasites are also capable of dividing by multiple fission under stress conditions. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that T. foetus can increase its DNA content per parasite without concluding the cytokinesis process (endoreplication) under stress conditions, which represents an efficient strategy for subsequent fast multiplication when the context becomes favorable. Additionally, we revealed the existence of novel dormant forms of resistance (multinucleated or mononucleated polyploid parasites), different than the previously described pseudocysts, that are formed under stress conditions. Thus, it is necessary to evaluate the role of these structures in the parasites' transmission in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrecia S. Iriarte
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristian I. Martinez
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia de Miguel
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Veronica M. Coceres
- Laboratorio de Parásitos Anaerobios, Instituto Tecnológico Chascomús (INTECH), CONICET-UNSAM, Chascomús, Argentina
- Escuela de Bio y Nanotecnologías, Universidad Nacional de San Martin (UNSAM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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10
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In-depth comparative analysis of Tritrichomonas foetus transcriptomics reveals novel genes linked with adaptation to feline host. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10057. [PMID: 35710931 PMCID: PMC9203502 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14310-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a flagellated parasite able to infect cattle, cats, and pigs. Despite its prevalence, feline tritrichomonosis has received markedly less attention than venereal infection, and little information about the molecular mechanisms that participate in feline host infection is available. Through a bioinformatics approach, we integrated public transcriptomic data for three T. foetus isolates and explored the differences at transcript level with a focus on pathogenesis and adaptation processes, particularly for the feline isolate. Our analysis revealed higher abundance levels of predicted virulence factors, such as proteases and surface antigens. Additionally, by a comparative and expression analysis of T. foetus genes, we proposed putative virulence factors that could be involved in feline infection. Finally, we identified a great proportion of predicted transcription factors of the MYB protein family and, by a promoter analysis, we revealed that MYB-related proteins could participate in the regulation of gene transcription in T. foetus. In conclusion, this integrated approach is a valuable resource for future studies of host–pathogen interactions and identifying new gene targets for improved feline tritrichomonosis diagnosis and treatment.
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11
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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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12
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Santos CA, Melo JC, Sampaio LH, Ferari LC, Moura FB, Souza FB, Kobayashi PE, Fonseca-Alves CE, Okamoto PT, Rahal SC, Melchert A. Simultaneous occurrence of inflammatory bowel disease and trichomonosis in a Maine coon cat. THE CANADIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL = LA REVUE VETERINAIRE CANADIENNE 2022; 63:281-284. [PMID: 35237015 PMCID: PMC8842383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A 2-year-old, 4.2 kg, spayed female, Maine coon cat was referred to the veterinary hospital for evaluation of hyporexia, slow growth, and chronic, intermittent, mucoid, bloody, voluminous, and fetid diarrhea. The diarrhea had been observed since the cat was acquired from a cattery at 4 months of age; with acute worsening in the 5 d before presentation. Abdominal palpation revealed moderate pain. Ultrasonographic examination showed thickening of the jejunal wall and ileal loops, increased echogenicity of the jejunal mucosa, and enlargement of the jejunal and ileocolic lymph nodes. Histopathology of full-thickness intestinal biopsies showed moderate, diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive enteritis with hemorrhage and edema. Diffuse, lymphoplasmacytic, erosive colitis with mild, interstitial fibrosis and hemorrhage was also noted. The ileocecal lymph node biopsy showed eosinophilic lymphadenitis. Based on the immunohistochemical evaluation of intestinal samples with CD3 and CD79a antibodies, a diagnosis of lymphoma was ruled out. Fecal polymerase chain reaction testing was positive for Tritrichomonas foetus. Based on these results, inflammatory bowel disease and trichomonosis were diagnosed. Treatment for the cat included a hypoallergenic diet and an oral omega-3 fatty acid supplement, in conjunction with prednisolone, to manage the inflammatory bowel disease. Ronidazole was administered to target the Tritrichomonas foetus. The cat was clinically normal during a follow-up examination after 6 months of treatment.
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13
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Maier AG, Doerig C. “The sexy side of parasites” – how parasites influence host sex and how the sex of the host impacts parasites. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 248:111462. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Rush GM, Šlapeta J. Evidence of self-resolution of feline trichomonosis in a pair of single household cats due to ronidazole-resistant Tritrichomonas foetus. Vet Parasitol 2021; 300:109609. [PMID: 34735847 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109609] [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: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus causes chronic large-bowel diarrhoea in cats, complicated not only by its chronicity but for its difficulty to treat, with few registered or effective products available, subsequently resulting in ronidazole frequently used off-label. The extent of T. foetus resistance to ronidazole is unknown. To demonstrate in vitro resistance of feline T. foetus to ronidazole and the self-resolution of the infection, we isolated novel T. foetus "feline" genotype strains from two cats in 2017 from the same household and monitored these cats over a three-year period. Axenic cultures of T. foetus from the cats were tested for in vitro resistance to metronidazole and ronidazole using anaerobic and aerobic culture assays. The minimum lethal concentration for the novel strains after incubation in aerobic conditions for 48 h were 50-100 μg/ml and 6.25-12.50 μg/ml for metronidazole and ronidazole, respectively. For susceptible T. foetus strains, the minimum lethal concentrations ranged from 1.56-12.50 μg/ml for metronidazole, and 0.39-3.13 μg/ml for ronidazole. The self-resolution of the infection was assessed using repeat diagnostic qPCR and culture. Whilst positive in 2018, the cat samples are no longer returning positive qPCR results in 2020 and 2021, indicating self-resolution over this period. This study demonstrated resistance to ronidazole for the first time in Australian cats and infection self-resolution without antimicrobial intervention is demonstrated. This study provides clinicians with the evidence to reduce the use of off-label ronidazole, and advice on the resolution timeframe for cats in single households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Marie Rush
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
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15
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Natalini MB, Cuervo PF, Gennuso MS, Romero VL, Jouliá RB, Beldomenico PM, Kowalewski MM. Influence of extraordinary floods on wildlife parasites: the case of gastrointestinal helminths and protozoa of wild canids from the Iberá Ecoregion, Argentina. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:3827-3835. [PMID: 34604932 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07330-5] [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: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Parasites are natural components of ecosystems and play a significant role in the dynamics of wild animal populations. Although the environment of parasites is primarily defined by the host, most life cycles involve stages that must endure external conditions. Rainfall and flooding events are important factors that might influence the transport of parasitic stages, altering soil moisture levels, and resulting in a favorable environment for parasite survival and development. We assessed whether an extraordinary flood event modified the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites (nematodes and protozoa) in wild canids in two protected areas in northern Argentina. From 2016 to 2018, we collected fecal samples of two fox species, Lycalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thous, and examined the presence of nematodes and protozoa. We assessed changes in the occurrence of these parasites after a flood event, while adjusting for potential confounders (i.e., monthly average temperature, season, host species, site). In a second stage of the analysis, we evaluated whether part of the effect was caused by changes in soil moisture, by adding normalized difference water index as an independent variable. We found that the presence of nematodes in foxes was higher after flooding than before flooding, and this association was not explained by changes in the soil moisture. On the other hand, the flood event was not relevant for protozoa. Stronger and long-lasting flood events are expected due to the effect of global warming on El Niño events, and this may increase and intensify the spread of some parasites affecting wildlife, which could also be of public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Natalini
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), CECOAL, CONICET, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1200, 3401, San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina.
| | - P F Cuervo
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNL-CONICET), RP Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
- Departamento de Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valencia, Av. Vicent Andres Estelles s/n, 46100, Burjassot, Valencia, Spain
| | - M S Gennuso
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), CECOAL, CONICET, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1200, 3401, San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - V L Romero
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), CECOAL, CONICET, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1200, 3401, San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - R Bay Jouliá
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), CECOAL, CONICET, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1200, 3401, San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
| | - P M Beldomenico
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades, Instituto de Ciencias Veterinarias del Litoral (ICIVET Litoral), Universidad Nacional del Litoral - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (UNL-CONICET), RP Kreder 2805, 3080, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - M M Kowalewski
- Estación Biológica Corrientes (EBCo), CECOAL, CONICET, Nuestra Señora de Lourdes 1200, 3401, San Cayetano, Corrientes, Argentina
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16
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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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17
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Gehl V, Paunkov A, Leitsch D. A reassessment of the role of oxygen scavenging enzymes in the emergence of metronidazole resistance in trichomonads. Int J Parasitol Drugs Drug Resist 2021; 16:38-44. [PMID: 33962363 PMCID: PMC8113990 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpddr.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Trichomonads are an order of parasitic protists which infect a wide range of hosts. The human parasite Trichomonas vaginalis and the bovine parasite Tritrichomonas foetus which also infects cats and swine are of considerable medical and veterinary importance, respectively. Since trichomonads are microaerophiles/anaerobes they are susceptible to 5-nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole. 5-nitroimidazoles are exclusively toxic to microaerophilic/anaerobic organisms because reduction, i.e. activation, of the drug can only occur in a highly reductive environment. 5-nitroimidazoles have remained a reliable treatment option throughout the last decades but drug resistance can be a problem. Clinical resistance to 5-nitroimidazoles has been studied in more detail in T. vaginalis and has been ascribed to defective oxygen scavenging mechanisms which lead to higher intracellular oxygen concentrations and, consequently, to less drug being reduced. Two enzymes, flavin reductase (FR) and NADH oxidase have been suggested to be the major oxygen scavenging enzymes in T. vaginalis. The loss, or at least an impairment of FR which reduces oxygen to hydrogen peroxide, has been proposed as the central mechanism that enables the emergence of 5-nitroimidazole resistance. In this study we explored if T. foetus also encodes a homolog of FR and if it is, likewise, involved in resistance. T. foetus was indeed found to express a FR but it was only weakly active as compared to the T. vaginalis homolog. Further, activity of FR in T. foetus was unchanged in metronidazole-resistant cell lines, ruling out that it has a role in metronidazole resistance. Finally, we measured oxygen scavenging rates in metronidazole-sensitive and -resistant cell lines and found that NADH oxidase and FR are not the major oxygen scavenging enzymes in trichomonads and that oxygen scavenging is possibly a consequence, rather than a cause of metronidazole resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virág Gehl
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ana Paunkov
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - David Leitsch
- Institute for Specific Prophylaxis and Tropical Medicine Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology, and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
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18
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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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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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20
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Dąbrowska J, Karamon J, Kochanowski M, Sroka J, Skrzypek K, Zdybel J, Różycki M, Jabłoński A, Cencek T. Tritrichomonas Foetus: A Study of Prevalence in Animal Hosts in Poland. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9030203. [PMID: 32164185 PMCID: PMC7157684 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9030203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is described as a pathogen of cattle and cats and also exhibits commensalism with pigs. In order to estimate the prevalence and determine the risk factors for parasite infection, specimens from animal hosts (cat, pigs, and cattle) from Poland were investigated. To our best knowledge, this is the first such study to examine samples from wild boars (Sus scrofa) for the presence of T. foetus. Data were collected from 117 cats, 172 pigs, 236 wild boars, and 180 cattle. The sensitivity of T. foetus identification was increased by using two molecular assays: PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The prevalence of feline tritrichomonosis was 20.51%, and statistically significant differences were obtained between groups of animals regarding age, breed, number of cats, diarrhea, and place of living. Positive PCR and LAMP results for T. foetus were estimated for 16.28% of pigs, and the obtained data were significantly correlated with age. Conversely, no significant differences were observed concerning the farm size factor. In our survey, no cases of bovine tritrichomonosis were found, which is consistent with the data from the other countries of the European Union. Similarly, all wild boar samples were also T. foetus-negative according to LAMP and PCR.
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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; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-889-30-25; Fax: +48-81-886-25-95
| | - Jacek Karamon
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Maciej Kochanowski
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Jacek Sroka
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Katarzyna Skrzypek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Jolanta Zdybel
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Mirosław Różycki
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
| | - Artur Jabłoński
- Department of Large Animal Diseases and Clinic, Warsaw University Of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska Street 100, 02-797 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Tomasz Cencek
- Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute, Partyzantów Avenue 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (J.K.); (M.K.); (J.S.); (K.S.); (J.Z.); (M.R.); (T.C.)
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