Association of fecal sample collection technique and treatment history withTritrichomonas foetuspolymerase chain reaction test results in 1717 cats

Abstract

Background Fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Tritrichomonas foetus is considered the most sensitive means for diagnosis of infection but results could be influenced by fecal collection technique and prior use of antimicrobial drugs. Objectives To establish any association between fecal collection technique or treatment history and results of fecal PCR testing for T. foetus. Animals Fecal samples from 1717 cats submitted by veterinarians between January 2012 and December 2017. Methods This study used a retrospective analysis. T. foetus PCR test results from 1808 fecal samples submitted for diagnostic testing were examined for their association with method of fecal collection and prior antimicrobial treatments. Data were collected from sample submission form. Results Positive T. foetus PCR test results were obtained for 274 (16%) cats. Fecal samples collected via fecal loop had increased probability of positive PCR test results (odds ratio [OR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31‐3.17, P = .002) compared to samples collected by colonic flush. There was no association between PCR test results and treatment history, treatment type, or prior treatment with ronidazole. After an initial positive PCR test, 4/19 (21%; 95% CI 2.7%‐39.4%) cats treated with ronidazole had a second positive test result. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Results of this study support that fecal samples collected by loop might be better for PCR diagnosis of T. foetus infection. Lack of association of ronidazole with PCR test results and a 21% all‐potential‐causes failure rate of ronidazole in cats with preconfirmed infection are important limitations to use of this drug.

Dysbiosis of fecal microbiota in cats with naturally occurring and experimentally induced Tritrichomonas foetus infection

“…All DNA samples were stored at -20°C prior to use in the current study. A complete description of the parent population from which these samples were selected was recently published [ 26 ]. Inclusion criteria for this study were samples originally accompanied by a submission form in which the treatment history, or indication of lack of treatment, was provided.…”

Diagnostic utility of selected faecal biochemical parameters in the determination of acute diarrhoea and associated defecation stooling characteristics in dogs: An observational study

“…Faecal specimens were collected using the colon flush technique as previously described ( Hedgespeth et al, 2020 ). This involved flushing the colon with three push-and-pull cycles on the plunger of a 10 ml syringe pre-filled with deionized water via a foley catheter (10Fr/Ch, 3–5 ml/cc, 3.3 mm; Dansn Medical International Limited, China).…”

Revisão de literatura: Tritrichomonas foetus em felinos domésticos (Felis catus)

“…Assim, a contaminação da comida e da água pelo protozoário, embora seja menos provável, pode ser uma rota de transmissão importante (YAO; KÖSTER, 2015). Gatos de até um ano de idade mostraram-se mais suscetíveis a contrair e desenvolverem a infecção por T. foetus (HEDGESPETH et al, 2020;, assim como animais de raça pura em comparação aos sem raça definida (YAO; .…”

“…Amostras fecais adequadas devem ser obtidas por meio da técnica de descarga de cólon, utilizando um catéter contendo, aproximadamente, 10mL de solução salina estéril. Esse catéter é inserido no reto, seguido pela aspiração do conteúdo, podendo também ser realizada a extração de maneira manual com o auxílio de uma alça fecal (HEDGESPETH et al, 2020;GOOKIN, 2009;.…”