Table of Contents

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease of cattle caused by Trichomonas foetus and clinically characterized by infertility, early abortion, pyometra and inapparent infection in bulls.

Distribution

Trichomoniasis distributed worldwide (Highest in those countries where bulls are kept for natural service).
In India: Reported in West Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir and Orissa.

Host Affected

Cattle, zebu, pig, horse and deer are affected, but pathogenic effect is seen only in bovines. All age groups are susceptible.

Location

Cows: Uterus and internally the vagina
Bulls: Preputial cavity

Morphology

Body is spindle to spear shaped (25um to 15 um)
It has 3 anterior flagella and one posterior flagella and no pelta

Strain of the parasite

Three serologically distinct strains are Belfast, Manley and Brisbane
Outbreaks due to Manley strains are few

Transmission

By coitus under natural conditions.
By teaser bulls.
It may also be transmitted by artificial insemination of liquid semen and gynaecological examination of cow with help of speculum.

Carrier status

Bulls are carrier and permanent sources of infection.
In infected Cows, it is self-limiting, but untreated cows act as carriers for more than 1 year.

Pathogenesis

Clinical manifestation in cow

Mucopurulent discharge (Potato soup appearance) is due to vaginitis.
Low level of infection causes vaginal discharge and roughness of vaginal mucosa.
Maximum number of organisms are present in vagina, 14- 18 days after natural service.
Some cows infected with small no. of organism may conceive normally, carry full term and give birth.
Invasion of organism in placenta causes placentits and abortion at 8-16 weeks after natural service.
Following abortion fetal membranes are completely eliminated.
In some animals fetus and fetal membranes are not completely eliminated and maceration occurs leading to chronic catarrhal sometimes purulent endometritis.
Persistent vaginal discharge noticeable when animal lies down.
Pyometra occurs when cervix are closed.
Anoestrus.

Clinical manifestation in Bulls

Organisms are most commonly found in preputial cavity, but also found in testes, epidydimitis and seminal vesicles.
Pain on micturition, disinclination to serve cows, mucopurulant discharge.
Small red nodules in preputial mucosal surface.
Signs disappear1-2 weeks after infection.
Spontaneous recovery is rare.

Immunity

Little evidence as bulls becomes immune to infection.
Infected non-pregnant animals recover without treatment, but a small proportion of cows act as carriers and permanent sterility may occur despite immunity.
Humoral antibodies are produced from uterus reaches the systemic circulation, which is readily detected by capillary agglutination test.
Vaginal antibodies develops locally.
Antibodies persist for 17 – 55 days, calves immunity acquired through colostrum.

Diagnosis

Clinical history, signs of early abortion, repeated return to service or irregular oestrus cycle.
History of recent purchase of mature bull for breeding.
Confirmation by demonstration of organism in placental fluid, stomach content of aborted foetus, uterine washing, pyometra or vaginal mucous and preputial washing.
Following abortion, organisms disappear within 48 hours.
The organisms will be observed as jerky movements and rotation of cells on their long axis, lashing flagella when examined in warm saline.
Examination of the above preparations by Giemsa staining, if the organisms are too low to allow diagnosis.
Culturing in CPLM (Cysteine-Peptone- Liver extract- Maltose serum) trichomonas medium or Diamond’s media.
Serological tests – Cervical mucus agglutination tests is the most satisfactory test. The mucus should be collected few days after oestrus from the anterior end of vagina.
Vaginal mucus should be collected and tested until 3 consecutive test should be negative to declare cow free of infection.
For Bulls 6 consecutive test be negative at weekly interval to declare free from infection.
Alternatively, breed the bull to two or more virgin heifers to assess freedom from infection.

Treatment

Sexual rest for 3 months in female.
Bulls: Difficult to treat, best to sell it for slaughter.
Pudental anaesthesia is used to relax retractor penis muscle.
The penis is washed with weak solution of detergent, dried and less than 1% acriflavin ointment or solution introduced into the preputial cavity and massaged in for 15-20 minutes.
Berenil (1% solution) 100-150 ml is injected into prepuce and retained for 15 minutes with massage daily for five consecutive days.
Oral administration of Dimetridazole @ 50 mg/kg b.wt daily for five days or intravenous injection of 10mg/ kg daily for five days for bulls/cows.

Control

Slaughter/ castration of infected bulls.
Avoid non tested bulls used for breeding purpose.
Aborted cows should be given sexual rests for 3 consecutive oestrus cycle.
Artificial insemination with proper care will reduce the incidence of disease.
Maintenance of proper records of service date, calving etc., at the farm helps in early diagnosis and control.
Examination of breeding bulls for T. fetus before purchase.