Trichomonads

Question 1

Trichomoniasis

Answer 1

the disease of trichomonads

Question 2

Life Stages of Trichomonads

Answer 2

The trophozoite. That’s it.

Question 3

Two ways to tell Giardia and Trichomonas apart

Answer 3

1. Giardia has two nuclei, Trichomonas only has one
2. Trichomonas is rolling around on a slide while Giardia is just trying to stay afloat

Question 4

3 Species affected by Pathogenic Trichomonads

Answer 4

1. Bovine - “trich” (Repro) Tritrichomonas foetus
2. Feline - (GI tract) Tritrichomonas foetus
3. Birbs - (Canker/Frounce) Trichomonas gallinae

Question 5

Signs of Bovine Genital Trichomoniasis in Cows

Answer 5

mild discharge, decreased fertility, abortion before 5 months, pyometra, etc

Question 6

Signs of Bovine Genital Trichomoniasis in Bulls

Answer 6

NONE

Question 7

Do cows develop any kind of protective immunity from trich?

Answer 7

no, they can recover after weeks-months but can be reinfected

Question 8

Do bulls recover from trich?

Answer 8

no, even though they do not have clinical signs, they are infected for life

Question 9

Can infected bulls still be used for breeding?

Answer 9

you damn well shouldn’t, as the parasite persists in diluents, antibiotics, and the freezing process in semen

Question 10

Diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus

Answer 10

trophozoites in preputial scrapings or washings (smegma), vaginal secretions, vaginal washings, or absorbed fetuses; confirm with PCR or IFA since can sometimes be confounded with other trichs

Question 11

Treatment for Infected Cows

Answer 11

none, besides a period of abstinence (Sorry ladies)

Question 12

Treatment for Infected Bulls

Answer 12

cull

Question 13

Feline Trichomoniasis is more commonly seen in what cats?

Answer 13

STRESSED cats (cat colonies, shelters, etc) but can be found in households too

Question 14

Clinical Signs of Feline Trichomoniasis

Answer 14

either asymptomatic or GI signs like chronic large bowel diarrhea d/t colonization of the mucosa in the ileum, cecum, and colon; good BAR, good appetite, cow-pie diarrhea that may be self-limiting (~2 years), painful anus

Question 15

Can you float tritrichomonas foetus?

Answer 15

Nope, it is destroyed by flotation solutions so you have to do a smear of fresh feces

Question 16

Treatment for Feline Trichomoniasis?

Answer 16

none approved, but can be done with ronidazole

Question 17

Trichomonas gallinae

Answer 17

infects the UPPER GI tract of pigeons and turkeys (mouth/espophagus)

Question 18

Trichomonas gallinarum

Answer 18

infects the LOWER GI tract of pigeons and turkeys (intestines)

Question 19

Main Sign of Trichomonas gallinae?

Answer 19

stretching of neck and smelly mouth full of plaques

Question 20

Diagnosis of Avian Trichomoniasis?

Answer 20

trophozoites in fecal sample