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Veterinary Parasitology Feb 2012In this retrospective study 102 cats were analyzed for the presence of trichomonads in intestinal tissue sections using chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Two...
In this retrospective study 102 cats were analyzed for the presence of trichomonads in intestinal tissue sections using chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). Two intestinal trichomonad species are described in cats: Pentatrichomonas hominis and Tritrichomonas foetus. While P. hominis is considered a mere commensal, T. foetus has been found to be the causative agent of feline large-bowel diarrhea. For the detection of both agents within intestinal tissue CISH assays using three different probes were performed. In the first CISH run a probe specific for all relevant members of the order Trichomonadida (OT probe) was used. In a second CISH run all positive samples were further examined on three consecutive tissue sections using the OT probe, a probe specific for the family of Tritrichomonadidae (Tritri probe) and a newly designed probe specifically detecting P. hominis (Penta hom probe). In total, four of the 102 cats were found to be positive with the OT probe. Thereof, one cat gave a positive reaction with the P. hominis probe and three cats were positive with the T. foetus probe. All Trichomonas-positive cats were pure-bred and between 8 and 32 weeks of age. In one cat positive for T. foetus large amounts of parasites were found in the gut lumen and invading the intestinal mucosa. The species of the detected trichomonads were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing of a part of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. In this study, the usefulness of CISH to detect intestinal trichomonads within feline tissue samples was shown. Additionally, the specific detection of P. hominis using CISH was established. Generally, it was shown that CISH is well suited for detection and differentiation of trichomonosis in retrospective studies using tissue samples.
Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA, Protozoan; Diarrhea; Female; Formaldehyde; In Situ Hybridization; Intestines; Male; Oligonucleotide Probes; Paraffin; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protozoan Infections, Animal; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Retrospective Studies; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Trichomonadida; Tritrichomonas foetus
PubMed: 21856079
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.07.050 -
JFMS Open Reports 2018Chronic diarrhea is a common and recurring problem in feline medicine. Intestinal trichomonads have been reported as causative agents of diarrhea in cats. While is...
CASE SERIES SUMMARY
Chronic diarrhea is a common and recurring problem in feline medicine. Intestinal trichomonads have been reported as causative agents of diarrhea in cats. While is considered commensal, has been found to cause feline large bowel diarrhea in cats. In our report, two young cats infected with the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and presenting with chronic diarrhea were identified as having trichomonads in their feces, based on direct examination and fecal culture. Molecular assays (PCR and DNA sequencing) revealed that the parasite involved was , not , as was suspected. The animals had already been subjected to ineffective therapy with metronidazole, and after the use of ronidazole, their feces became dry and formed.
RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION
This case report describes infection as a possible cause of chronic diarrhea in two young cats also infected by FeLV. The parasite was probably resistant to metronidazole, the drug of choice in the literature, and sensitive to ronidazole. Although considered commensal, infection should be evaluated as a differential diagnosis in cats with chronic diarrhea, especially those that are immunocompromised. Moreover, a combination of techniques such as direct examination and/or fecal culture and PCR is essential for an accurate diagnosis of infection.
PubMed: 29872537
DOI: 10.1177/2055116918774959 -
Experimental Animals 2015Trichomonadid protozoa have been found in the intestinal tracts of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). However, there is little information available on species...
Trichomonadid protozoa have been found in the intestinal tracts of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). However, there is little information available on species identification and the pathogenicity of these trichomonads. In this study, we conducted a fecal survey of a common marmoset colony maintained as laboratory animals in Japan and identified the trichomonad species. Screening using a fecal smear examination revealed that 66% (58/88) of the marmosets had trichomonadid trophozoites in their feces. The trichomonads were found in both normal feces (31/49, 63%) and diarrhea (27/39, 69%), with no significant difference in frequency. The protozoa were identified as Pentatrichomonas hominis using morphological characters and the 100% identity of the nucleotide sequence of the partial 18S rRNA gene (297 bp). The intraspecific genetic variability between P. hominis from the marmosets in this study and P. hominis from other reported mammal hosts was ≤1% in the nucleotide sequence, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-1, 5.8S rRNA gene, and ITS-2 (293 bp). P. hominis inhabits the large intestine of various mammalian hosts, including primates, and is considered nonpathogenic. These results suggest that P. hominis is transmitted among marmosets and other mammals but is not a primary cause of bowel disease in marmosets.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Base Sequence; Callithrix; Feces; Female; Genes, Protozoan; Genes, rRNA; Intestines; Japan; Male; Monkey Diseases; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Trichomonadida
PubMed: 26156572
DOI: 10.1538/expanim.15-0010 -
Journal of Parasitic Diseases :... Sep 2022() is a large intestinal flagellated protozoan infecting humans. Little is known about the epidemiology of in Egypt, its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and...
() is a large intestinal flagellated protozoan infecting humans. Little is known about the epidemiology of in Egypt, its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and the co-infection with other parasites. Demographic and clinical data were collected from 180 school-aged children. Parasitological examination of fecal samples was done using direct wet mount, formalin ethyl-acetate, Kato-Katz and cultivation on Jones' medium to detect and associated parasitic infection. The diagnosis of was confirmed using Giemsa stain and scanning electron microscopy. The prevalence of was 13.8% (25 out of 180 children). The prevalence of parasitic co-infection was significantly higher in infected (84%, 21 participants) than in non-infected children (56%, 87 participants). The presence of abdominal pain and diarrhea in infected children was higher than in non-infected children (84% and 32% vs. 76% and 18%), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. This is the first report of in Egypt. The significant association between and other intestinal parasites need more investigations. Further studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity of .
PubMed: 36091265
DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01506-1 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology Nov 2023is a trichomonad protozoan that infects the cecum and colon of humans and other mammals. It is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in both animals and humans. As...
is a trichomonad protozoan that infects the cecum and colon of humans and other mammals. It is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in both animals and humans. As companion animals, dogs infected with pose a risk of transmitting it to humans. Current methods, such as direct smears and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), used for detection have limitations, including low detection rates and the need for specialized equipment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop rapid, sensitive, and simple detection methods for clinical application. Recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) has emerged as a technology for rapid pathogen detection. In this study, we developed a lateral flow dipstick (LFD)-RPA method based on the highly conserved gene for detecting infection by optimizing the primers, probes, and reaction conditions, and evaluating cross-reactivity with genomes of and other parasites. The LFD-RPA method was then used to test 128 dog fecal samples collected from Changchun. The results confirmed the high specificity of the method with no cross-reactivity with the five other parasites. The lowest detection limit of the method was 10 copies/µL, and its sensitivity was 10 times higher than that of the conventional PCR method. Consistent with the positivity rate observed using nested PCR, 12 samples (out of 128) tested positive using this method (positivity rate, 9.38%). In conclusion, the LFD-RPA method developed in this study represents a simple and sensitive assay that allows for the rapid detection of infection in dogs, especially in this field.
PubMed: 37998756
DOI: 10.3390/cimb45110579 -
Parasites & Vectors Aug 2019Pentatrichomonas hominis is a flagellated protozoan that inhabits the large intestine of humans. Although several protozoans have been proposed to have a role in cancer...
BACKGROUND
Pentatrichomonas hominis is a flagellated protozoan that inhabits the large intestine of humans. Although several protozoans have been proposed to have a role in cancer progression, little is known about the epidemiology of P. hominis infection in cancer patients.
METHODS
To determine the prevalence of P. hominis in patients with digestive system malignancies, we collected 195 and 142 fecal samples from gastrointestinal cancer patients and residents without any complaints related to the digestive system, respectively. Each sample was detected for the presence of P. hominis by nested PCR amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and partial 18S rRNA gene.
RESULTS
A significantly higher prevalence of P. hominis was found in cancer patients than that in the control population (41.54 vs 9.15%, χ = 42.84, df = 1, P < 0.001), resulting in a 6.75-fold risk of gastrointestinal cancers (OR: 6.75, 95% CI: 3.55-12.83, P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of P. hominis infection was detected in small intestine cancer patients (60%, OR: 14.88, 95% CI: 0.82-4.58, P = 0.009) followed by liver (57.14%, χ = 10.82, df = 1, P = 0.001) and stomach cancer patients (45.1%, χ = 31.95, df = 1, P < 0.001). In addition, phylogenetic analysis provided some evidence supporting that human P. hominis infection might derive from animal sources.
CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, this study is the first report presenting the high association between P. hominis and gastrointestinal cancers. Nevertheless, whether there is any possible pathological role of P. hominis infection in cancer patients needs to be further elucidated.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; China; DNA, Intergenic; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Genetic; Prevalence; Protozoan Infections; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Trichomonadida
PubMed: 31462294
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3684-4 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2018We aimed to demonstrate that Pentatrichomonas hominis may also be an agent, although rare, in diarrheal episodes. Stool samples were first examined macroscopically and...
We aimed to demonstrate that Pentatrichomonas hominis may also be an agent, although rare, in diarrheal episodes. Stool samples were first examined macroscopically and microscopically during routine parasitological examinations. Samples were then evaluated by Native-Lugol and formol-ethyl acetate centrifugation method. To exclude other pathogenic bacterial agents, a bacteriological culture method was applied. Samples were evaluated using a qualitative immunochromatographic test kit for rotavirus and adenovirus. We presented three cases of 77-year-old and 10-year-old male and 9-year-old female patients. Cases 1 and 2 were admitted to the hospital with complaints of diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness in July 2013. Leukocytes and active P. hominis trophozoites were detected. No bacterial and other parasitic and viral agents were found in their stool specimens. Oral metronidazole treatments were administered to the patients. In Case 3, P. hominis trophozoites were detected in the cellophane band in the plastic locked bag which could survive for 48 hduring a field survey in May 2012. Case 3 was contacted and advised to visit a pediatrician. P. hominis is a rare parasitic zoonosis, and we believe that it should not be ignored among diarrheal agents.
Topics: Administration, Oral; Aged; Animals; Antitrichomonal Agents; Child; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Male; Metronidazole; Trichomonas; Trichomonas Infections
PubMed: 30070647
DOI: 10.5152/tpd.2018.4846 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2018In pigs, several different trichomonad species such as , and have been described as inhabiting the digestive tract. However, little information is available on the...
BACKGROUND
In pigs, several different trichomonad species such as , and have been described as inhabiting the digestive tract. However, little information is available on the epidemiology of these neglected parasites in the Chinese pig population.
METHODS
The prevalence of , and among 500 fecal specimens from pigs at seven pigs farms in Anhui Province in China between Oct and Dec 2014, was determined by PCR and DNA sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes.
RESULTS
The prevalence rates for , and were 2.8% (14/500), 42.0% (210/500) and 7.8% (39/500), respectively. Mixed infections of two or three trichomonads were detected in 24 samples. The prevalence of the three trichomonads differed significantly between some age groups, with higher infection rates of and in nursery pigs and in preweaned pigs. The SSU rRNA sequences from and showed 100% homology with their respective homologous database sequences. However, we observed minor allelic variations in the SSU rRNA sequences from , and the five representative sequences identified were named firstly as types 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Moreover, type 1 was found to be dominant in the present study.
CONCLUSION
These findings highlight the potential risk posed by pigs in the transmission of trichomonad infections to humans and other animals.
PubMed: 30697314
DOI: No ID Found -
Cryobiology Feb 2004Conventional methods for the propagation and preservation of parasites in vivo or in vitro have some limitations, including the need for labor, initial isolation and...
Conventional methods for the propagation and preservation of parasites in vivo or in vitro have some limitations, including the need for labor, initial isolation and loss of strains, bacterial, and fungal contamination, and changes in the original biological and metabolic characteristics. All these disadvantages are considerably reduced by cryopreservation. In this study, we examined the effects of various freezing conditions on the survival of several protozoan parasites after cryopreservation. The viability of Entamoeba histolytica was improved by seeding (p < 0.05, chi2 test), while this was not so effective for Trichomonas vaginalis. Of six cryoprotectants examined, dimethyl sulfoxide (Me(2)SO), and glycerol showed the strongest cryoprotective effects. The optimum conditions for using Me(2)SO were a concentration of 10% with no equilibration, and those for glycerol were a concentration of 15% with equilibration for 2h. The optimum cooling rate depended on the parasite species. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Leishmania amazonensis were successfully cryopreserved over a wide range of cooling rates, whereas the survival rates of E. histolytica, T. vaginalis, Pentatrichomonas hominis, and Blastocystis hominis were remarkably decreased when frozen at improper rates. Unlike the cooling rate, exposure of the protozoans to a rapid thawing method produced better motility for all parasites.
Topics: Animals; Blastocystis hominis; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotective Agents; Entamoeba histolytica; Eukaryota; Leishmania mexicana; Movement; Parasites; Trichomonadida; Trichomonas vaginalis; Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
PubMed: 14969677
DOI: 10.1016/j.cryobiol.2003.10.004 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Jul 2007To determine the optimum reaction conditions and detection limits of PCR assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in DNA extracted from canine feces.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the optimum reaction conditions and detection limits of PCR assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in DNA extracted from canine feces.
SAMPLE POPULATION
DNA extracted from feces of 4 dogs with diarrhea from which trichomonads were observed, 81 dogs that had feces submitted to a diagnostic laboratory, and 19 dogs residing in a laboratory animal facility.
PROCEDURES
Optimum reaction conditions and absolute and practical detection limits of 2 P hominis 18S species-specific primer pairs were determined by use of an in vitro cultivated canine isolate of P hominis in the presence and absence of canine feces. The optimized PCR assay was applied to amplification of P hominis 18S rRNA genes from DNA extracted from the feces of dogs.
RESULTS
Under optimized conditions, a primer pair was identified as able to detect as few as 1 P hominis organism/180-mg fecal sample. The PCR assay identified P hominis in diarrheic feces of 4 dogs in which trichomonads were seen by light microscopy. The P hominis genes were not amplified from other fecal samples examined.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Molecular identification of P hominis in feces of 4 dogs with trichomonosis and diarrhea reported here validates the identity of this species in such infections. Sensitive and specific PCR amplification of P hominis 18S rRNA genes from DNA extracted from feces will directly facilitate studies examining pathogenicity of this trichomonad and enable differentiation of P hominis from other known or novel species of trichomonads that may infect the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.
Topics: Animals; DNA, Protozoan; Diarrhea; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Feces; Female; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Protozoan Infections, Animal; Species Specificity; Trichomonadida
PubMed: 17605615
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.68.7.783