Trichomoniasis Overview: The Disease, History, & Management
Jeff D. Ondrak DVM, MS Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center
[email protected]
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Tritrichomonas foetus Tri = 3; trich = hair Highly contagious
venereal disease Obligate parasite of the bovine reproductive
tract
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History 1888 France 1920s World-wide 1932 Pennsylvania dairy
cows 1958 Western U.S. beef herds
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Courtesy of VectorTemplates.com
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T. foetus in Females Disease Process Infection leads to
inflammation, but does not interfere with conception Early
embryonic death and abortion at 50 80 days Immune response clears
infection Infertility for 2-5 months => normal fertility Unusual
outcomes Clinical Signs Mild discharge Return to estrus Extended
calving season 40% reduction in % pregnant cows
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Carrier Cows No apparent carrier cows Barling et. al. Bov Pract
2005 Post calving 63-97 days Goodger et. al. JAVMA 1986 9 weeks
Skirrow JAVMA 1987 Post breeding 22 months Alexander Aust Vet J
1953 300 days Mancebo et. al. Vet Parasitol 1995
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T. foetus in Males Disease Process No tissue invasion No
detectable immune response Preputial crypts aid in parasite
survival Chronic carriers in bulls > 3 years of age Clinical
Signs None (Courtesy of Dr. Bruce Brodersen, University of
Nebraska- Lincoln Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) Treatment Test
and slaughter!
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Testing Errors Pre-analytical Phase Error sources include wrong
sample, mishandled sample, improper sample collection, etc.
Analytical Phase (the equipment/technician) Error sources include
mechanical wear and tear, bad sensors, inherent errors, software
errors, and improper cutoff values. Post-analytical Phase Reporting
errors include misread or misreported values, transposition of
figures, etc. Reports from our human counterparts indicate up to
90% of diagnostic test error occurs in the pre and post analytical
phase of testing. While less than 10-13% of the error occurs during
the analytical phase.
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Trich and the Bad B Word
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Herd Health Assurance: At-risk Herds Communication Veterinarian
producer Producer producer Planned grazing Appropriate fencing
Maintain a closed herd Monitor fences and cattle Observe
regulations Purchase only virgin or pregnant replacements Isolate
and test herd additions Isolate and test herd reintroductions
Utilize artificial insemination Records
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b 12.2% open in the exposed group a 8.9% open in the exposed
group 2004 4.8% 2005 5.4% 2006 13.9% 2007 27.0%Herd A (1500 cows)
4.1%3.8% 4.2% a 4.2% b Herd B (3000 cows) Herd C (3000 cows)
Historically ~7% 2008 14% Group% Open 1234512345 9% 8% 15% 14%
19%
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Herd Health Assurance: At-risk Herds Communication Veterinarian
producer Producer producer Planned grazing Appropriate fencing
Maintain a closed herd Monitor fences and cattle Observe
regulations Purchase only virgin or pregnant replacements Isolate
and test herd additions Isolate and test herd reintroductions
Utilize artificial insemination Surveillance testing Records
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Herd Health Assurance: Low Risk Herds Communication
Veterinarian producer Producer producer Maintain a closed herd
Monitor fences and cattle Observe regulations Purchase only virgin
or pregnant replacements or purchase from a reputable source
Isolate and test herd reintroductions? Utilize artificial
insemination Records Surveillance testing?????
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Herd Health Assurance: Infected Herds Test and cull Bull
management Communication Veterinarian producer Producer
producer
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Comparison of First Test Efficiency 1st Culture8 2nd 2 3rd 1
Total 11 First Test Efficiency.73 95% CI.39-.94 q
PCR93012.75.43-.95 Gel PCR84113.62.32-.86
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Herd Health Assurance: Infected Herds Utilize artificial
insemination Maintain a young bull battery Test and cull Establish
clean and dirty herds Surveillance testing Cull all non-productive
cows Bull management Cow management Cull Communication Veterinarian
producer Producer producer Records
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it is my opinion that if more care was taken in the sale and
purchase of barren cows, in the purchase of bulls of breeding age,
and if the farmers could be sufficiently educated to the unique
opportunities for control that this disease offers, then its total
elimination should be practicable in the quite near future. H.P.
Harding The Veterinary Record September 16, 1950