*Lisa Pohlman, *Marjory Artzer, **Verona Chaffin
*Kansas State University, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology,**Allcare Animal Hospital, Shawnee,KS
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
History; 16-week-old intact female, Bengal (Poppy)RDVM December 28, 2007Diarrhea, seromucoid nasal discharge & mild failure to thrive
De-wormed, antibiotics, SC fluids & sent home January 7th Recheck Nasal discharge had cleared Diarrhea worse → diagnosed coccidia
AlbonJanuary 11th RecheckDiarrhea Fecal wet mount → abundant motile organisms
A video recording of the organisms A saline diluted, air-dried fecal smear
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
A variety of bacteria (mostly rods), debris, and protozoal organisms (9 to 12 um x 6 to 9 um) with 3 anterior flagella, 1 posterior flagella,1 nucleus, undulating membrane, central axostyle
Wright’s 100x
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Further tests & DiagnosisCulture (In PouchTM TF-Feline)
PCR
Tritrichomonas foetus
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
TrichomonadsPrimitive eukaryotic organisms Obligate protozoan symbionts Multiple anterior flagella Undulating membrane Reproduction via binary fission Trophozoites are transferred from host to host directly Commensal & pathogenic species identified
Tritrichomonas foetus -- pathogenic Pentatrichomonas hominis – non-pathogenic
Tritrichomonas foetus
http://vetsci.sdstate.edu/vetext/Trichomoniasis%20Range%20Beef%20Cow%20Symposium%20web.htm
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
Tritrichomonas foetus Cattle
Venereal pathogen
Pigsgastrointestinal tract & nasal mucosa
T. foetus = T. suis
Dogs Diarrhea
CatsEnteric pathogen of catsUterus
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T. foetus; Enteric Pathogen in Cats Colonizes colon+/- observable symptoms
Chronic diarrheaFeces dribble from anus
Young, densely housed cats~1/3 of the purebred feline population infectedAbsence of diarrhea ≠ cat free of infectionMisidentified as
Giardia Pentatrichomonas hominis
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Pentatrichomonas Tritrichomonas Giardia spp. hominis foetus
http://www.st.rim.or.jp/~samacha/CareF/SickF/Protozo/Proto.html
• Non-pathogenic • 5 anterior flagella
http://winnielovesus.blogspot.com/2007/09/one-week-done-35-to-go.html
http://vetsci.sdstate.edu/vetext/Trichomoniasis%20Range%20Beef%20Cow%20Symposium%20web.htm
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
Histologic Features of T. foetusM. J. Yaeger & J. L. Gookin, Vet Pathol 42:797-804 (2005)
Colonic trichomonads (6 sections recommended)Lymphoplasmacytic & neutrophilic colitisEosinophils not a prominent featureCrypt epithelial cell
HypertrophyHyperplasia↑ mitotic activity↓ goblet cells
Crypt microabscessesAttenuated superficial colonic mucosa+/- Macrophages
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Prognosis & Other ConcernsInfected CatsNo effective antibiotic treatmentOverall health not adversely affected~90% diarrhea will stop within two years Remain source of infection to other catsHypothesisProlonged presence of organisms
Predisposition to IBD?
Zoonotic Potential?Human infection with T. foetus (1 case)
Immunosuppressed & previous stem cell transplantation Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
Unresponsive to antimicrobial treatment
T.foetus
PCR
Saline diluted feces Motile organisms Air dried smear
CultureIn PouchTM TF media
HistopathologyMin. 6 sections
M. J. Yaeger and J. L. GookinVet Pathol 42:797-804 (2005)With Permission
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
AcknowledgementsShon KoenigShelly ChristensonNathan Rodriguez
Presented at SEVPAC 2008 – Permission granted for use on SEVPAC website only
