Not gone but forgotten: Tritrichomonas foetus in extensively-managed bulls from Australia’s Northern Territory

Calvani, Nichola Eliza Davies; Šlapeta, Jan; Onizawa, Emily; Eamens, Kieran; Jenkins, Cheryl; Westman, Mark

doi:10.1016/j.crpvbd.2021.100012

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Several methods are used to diagnose bovine trichomoniasis, such as culture and staining methods [ 19 ], serological methods [ 20 ], and molecular assays [ 21 ]. Molecular techniques have the advantage of being highly sensitive and can amplify DNA [ 22 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic confirmation of bovine trichomoniasis in aborted cows in Iraq

Gharban

2023

Vet World

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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. Keywords: bovine-sexually transmitted disease, natural insemination, polymerase chain reaction, Tritrichomonas foetus, Wasit province.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic confirmation of bovine trichomoniasis in aborted cows in Iraq

Gharban

2023

Vet World

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“…Historically, bovine trichomoniasis varied from being uncommon in more intensive beef regions to common in northern Australia's extensively managed herds, with prevalences of 25% for bulls 3 and 66% for herds in some areas during the 1970s and 1980s 8 . Since then, the disease has received little attention, with reports limited to one study which found no evidence of infection in dairy herds in Victoria 9 and one report from a beef herd in the Northern Territory in recent years 10 …”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 Since then, the disease has received little attention, with reports limited to one study which found no evidence of infection in dairy herds in Victoria 9 and one report from a beef herd in the Northern Territory in recent years. 10 This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of T. foetus infection in slaughtered beef bulls from Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory and Western Australia.…”

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Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia

Irons

McGowan

Assis³

et al. 2022

Aust Veterinary J

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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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“…There are no effective drugs to control bovine trichomonosis, and control relies primarily on testing and culling policy ( 12 , 13 ), which is an effective measure to restore reproductive efficiency and productivity ( 7 ). There is evidence of a re-emergence of bovine trichomonosis in extensive husbandry conditions in Australia ( 14 , 15 ), South Africa ( 16 ), South America ( 17 – 19 ), EEUU ( 13 , 20 ), and Europe ( 3 , 4 ). Programs for prevention and control are partially successful because risk factors (communal pastures, the lack of diagnostic tests before the mating season and a high proportion of bulls older than 3 years) cannot be avoided ( 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new inactivated Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine that improves genital clearance of the infection and calving intervals in cattle

et al. 2022

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Bovine trichomonosis is a sexually transmitted disease that is a primary cause of early reproductive failure in cattle. The aim of the present study was to develop a vaccine formulation based on Tritrichomonas foetus trophozoites inactivated by lyophilization and Quil-A-adjuvanted. The safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of this new vaccine formulation (Trichobovis®) administered by two routes (subcutaneous: SC, and intravulvar: IVU) were compared with a commercial vaccine (TrichGuard®) in a well-established experimental bovine model of genital T. foetus infection. The new vaccine was considered safe in cattle because only mild local reactions were found in the vaccination area, which disappeared 3 weeks after administration. Cows immunized with Trichobovis cleared the infection faster than the non-immunized/challenged group (27–28 vs. 60 days; P < 0.05). Not significant differences were observed with the commercial vaccine respect to the positive control group, or between SC and IVU routes. The new vaccine stimulated high serum anti-T. foetus IgG and genital IgA levels and generated an IgG booster effect similar to TrichGuard. IgA levels were associated with significantly earlier genital clearance of T. foetus in cows immunized with Trichobovis by SC route (G1A) or TrichGuard (G2). The strongest association was found in the group G1A on day 14 post-infection (p.i.) (r = −0.74) and in G2 on day 35 p.i. (r = −0.71). The efficacy of vaccination using Trichobovis on the reproductive performance was also investigated under field conditions in a herd where T. foetus was present. The calving intervals were significantly reduced by 45.2 days (P < 0.05), calves were born 28 days earlier (P < 0.05) and an increase of 8.7% in the calving rate (P > 0.05) was observed in the vaccinated group. These results demonstrate that Trichobovis improved the reproductive performance under field conditions in herds where T. foetus infection is present.

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Not gone but forgotten: Tritrichomonas foetus in extensively-managed bulls from Australia’s Northern Territory

Cited by 4 publications

References 22 publications

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic confirmation of bovine trichomoniasis in aborted cows in Iraq

Molecular prevalence and phylogenetic confirmation of bovine trichomoniasis in aborted cows in Iraq

Prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef bulls slaughtered at two abattoirs in northern Australia

A new inactivated Tritrichomonas foetus vaccine that improves genital clearance of the infection and calving intervals in cattle

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