Characterization of Tritrichomonas foetus antigens, using bovine antiserum

Tritrichomonas foetus antigens were identified, using the serum of an Angus heifer that had been repeatedly immunized with suspensions of 1 X 10(8) organisms in Freund's complete adjuvant. Antibody activity against T foetus was determined by dot-blot analysis, using horse-radish peroxidase-conjugated anti-bovine immunoglobulin to detect bound antibody. The antiserum contained antibodies against surface and flagellar components of live or fixed T foetus, as determined by use of immunofluorescence. The antiserum reacted with approximately 38 proteins in a pool of 55 to 60 components resolvable by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of T foetus extracts.     

Application of a PCR assay to enhance the detection and identification of Tritrichomonas foetus in cultured preputial samples.

The traditional diagnostic test for Tritrichomonas foetus involves collection of preputial or vaginal samples followed by culture in a growth media and microscopic examination. Recently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques have been described for use as a diagnostic assay. The objective of this study was to evaluate a previously described PCR assay for detecting T. foetus in cultured preputial material. The detection limits of the assay for T. foetus organisms in a growth medium, in samples prepared from washing microscope slides, and in preputial material cultured in a growth medium were determined. Preputial samples were collected from 13 bulls uninfected with T. foetus. The PCR assay was able to detect 5 T. foetus organisms in the growth medium and the cultured preputial material. Amplification products were obtained from samples prepared from washes of microscope slides containing as few as 3 visualized organisms. The PCR assay was able to detect organisms in culture at a lower concentration than was possible by direct microscopic examination. This low detection limit may allow the PCR assay to be used to enhance the sensitivity of the current diagnostic test. In addition, the assay could be used to confirm the identification of T. foetus organisms observed by direct microscopic examination when other confirmation techniques, such as staining and phase microscopy, are not practical.     

PCR detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in preputial bull fluid without prior DNA isolation

Tritrichomonosis is a widespread, economically important venereal disease caused by Tritrichomonas foetus. The traditional diagnosis of this disease, which causes infertility and abortion in cattle, is based on the culture of the parasite. This process is time consuming, has low sensitivity, and is prone to contamination with intestinal or coprophilic trichomonadid protozoa, resulting in false positive diagnostics of T. foetus. In order to avoid the shortcomings of the traditional method, we developed a simple PCR assay based on TFR3 and TFR4 primers, which does not require parasite culturing. The sensitivity of the PCR assay resulted comparable to that of the classical method, being able to detect as few as five T. foetus parasites. In addition the method is highly specific. The analysis of preputial fluid washing samples showed that 58 out of 203 samples were positive by both, the PCR and the culture method (+/+), 9 samples were positive by PCR and negative by the traditional method (+/-) and only one sample resulted negative by PCR and negative by culture (-/+). The samples for the PCR assay can be stored for a week at 4 degrees C or 72h at room temperature. In summary, our study demonstrated that the PCR assay is an effective method for the diagnosis of T. foetus from preputial samples, and that it compares advantageously to the classical method.     

An improved polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in cattle

An improved polymerase chain reaction test has been developed to detect Tritrichomonas foetus, the causative agent of trichomoniasis in cattle. The test amplifies a region of the 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene of T. foetus, and it is simple, sensitive, and specific when compared with traditional methods to examine field samples.     

鸡IL-6和IL-18基因实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

本研究旨在建立鸡白细胞介素6(interleukin-6,IL-6)和白细胞介素18(IL-18)基因实时荧光定量PCR(Realtime FQ-PCR)检测方法。应用RT-PCR方法扩增鸡外周血淋巴白细胞(peripheral blood leukocytes,PBLs)的IL-6和IL-18基因片断,分别克隆至pGM-T载体上,将浓度梯度的IL-6和IL-18基因的重组质粒DNA进行实时荧光定量PCR,并建立相应的标准曲线。经PCR、双酶切和测序分析显示,成功地构建了重组克隆质粒pGM-T-IL-6和pGM-T-IL-18。标准曲线分析显示,IL-6和IL-18基因标准曲线的Ct值与其标准品浓度的对数值之间有良好的线性关系,IL-6和IL-18检测的灵敏度均达到10拷贝/μL。为下一步应用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测IL-6和IL-18基因的转录水平奠定了基础。     

牛腺病毒5型TaqMan探针实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

建立针对牛腺病毒5型六邻体(Hexon)基因的实时荧光定量TaqMan PCR检测方法。根据牛腺病毒5型Hexon基因高度保守区设计引物和TaqMan探针,绘制标准曲线,对其灵敏度、特异性、重复性进行验证,建立牛腺病毒5型实时荧光定量TaqMan PCR快速检测方法。结果显示,构建的重组质粒pUC57-BAV5,标准曲线在10~2～10~7拷贝数之间有较好的线性关系,相关系数为0.975 2,建立检测方法的最低检测限为32拷贝/μL;应用建立的方法检测牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒、牛轮状病毒、牛呼吸道合胞体病毒无交叉反应;重复性试验表明,同一浓度的20个平行样品的变异系数为1.4%。牛腺病毒5型TaqMan探针荧光定量PCR方法具有灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好等特点,可以用于牛腺病毒5型的快速、准确的检测。     

禽腺病毒4型SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立

禽腺病毒4型(FAdV-4)是心包积水综合征的重要病原。本研究拟建立FAdV4荧光定量PCR检测方法,为FAdV4感染的流行病学调查、早期诊断、疫病净化提供技术手段。根据GenBank中的禽腺病毒4型六邻体(hexon)基因序列,设计一对引物,扩增hexon基因,将目的基因与载体pEASY-T3连接,构建重组阳性质粒pEAST-T3-H,利用所制备的质粒pEAST-T3-H为模板,对PCR反应体系、反应条件进行优化。建立了禽腺病毒4型SYBR Green I实时荧光定量PCR检测方法,检出的标准品的敏感性为1.7×10拷贝/μL,优于常规的PCR检测方法。该方法与其他禽病病毒均无交叉反应。表明该方法具有特异型强、灵敏度高、重复性好的特点,可用于临床样本的检测。     

Evaluation of four DNA extraction methods for the detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in feline stool specimens by polymerase chain reaction

Feces are increasingly valued as practical samples for molecular diagnosis of infectious disease. However, extraction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) quality DNA from fecal samples can be challenging because of coextraction of PCR inhibitors. Because the type and quantity of PCR inhibitors is influenced by diet, endogenous flora, and concurrent disease, it is unlikely that extraction method performance with human feces can be directly extrapolated to that of domestic cats. In the present study, 4 commercially available DNA extraction methods were examined for their influence on the sensitivity of PCR for the detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in feline stool. DNA was extracted from serially diluted feline-origin T. foetus trophozoites in the absence or presence of feline feces. The ZR Fecal DNA kit was identified as affording the greatest analytical sensitivity and reproducibility and was able to detect >/=10 T. foetus organisms per 100 mg feces in 100% of PCR reactions. Further, the identified extraction method could be completed in the shortest time of all kits tested.     

Interaction of Tritrichomonas foetus and the bovine oviduct in an organ culture model

Tritrichomonas foetus is an extracellular parasite of the reproductive tract in cattle. The mechanism by which T. foetus causes abortion in cattle is largely unknown. There are no studies of infection in the cow oviducts, almost all published papers are related to vagina infection and few articles focusing on the uterus. The aim of the present study was to establish a working model of bovine oviduct epithelial cells and submit these cells to Tritrichomonas foetus interaction. Twenty bovine oviducts were obtained from cows at a commercial abattoir and T. foetus was injected through the isthmus into the oviduct lumen. The whole oviduct was analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The results reported here demonstrate that: (1) fresh whole oviducts can be used as a good model to study parasite-host cell interaction; (2) cow oviduct epithelium has been shown to consist of two cell types: ciliated and nonciliated secretory cells, and T. foetus displayed great specificity for the nonciliated cells localized in the deeper oviduct folds; (3) T. foetus adheres as single separate cells, and maintains the flagella externalized; (4) differently from T. vaginalis, T. foetus does not change its shape during the adhesion process; and (5) oviduct cells exhibited morphological characteristics of apoptosis after trichomonadal interaction.     

牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒LUXTM新型荧光PCR检测方法的建立

本研究针对牛传染性鼻气管炎病毒（Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus，IBRV）高度保守的gC基因设计单标记并具有自身荧光淬灭功能的LUX^TM引物，建立L刚新型实时荧光PCR方法用于快速检测IBRV。该方法对四株IBRV细胞培养物的检测均呈典型阳性反应，而对其它动物疱疹病毒以及健康牛组织DNA和细胞对照的检测结果为阴性，检测时间包括核酸提取仅需1h～2h。试验表明，LUX^TM荧光PCR法对IBRV细胞增殖病毒液的检测敏感性可达0．04TCID50，比病毒分离敏感性至少提高10倍；对10倍系列稀释的纯化IBRV核酸样品，L刚荧光PCR的检测敏感性比常规PCR可提高10^3倍。将病毒液添加到健康牛精液和血液样品中，该荧光PCR可检测到牛冻存精液中40TCID50牛抗凝全血、血清和临床精液中0．04TCID50的病毒，说明对临床样品的检测有效。本研究所建立的LUXTM荧光PCR方法快速敏感，适合应用于活牛及其遗传物质的进出口检疫、养牛业疾病防控等领域对IBRV的快速检测。     

Comparison of the diagnostic sensitivity of a commercially available culture kit and a diagnostic culture test using Diamond's media for diagnosing Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls.

A number of different culture media have been described for use in the diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in bulls, and recently, a commercial culture kit has become available. The objective of this study was to compare the sensitivity of 2 culture-based diagnostic tests for T. foetus in bulls. One test used a commercial kit for transport and culture of the samples. The other test used a thioglycollate transport medium (TFTM) for transport and a modified Diamond's medium (MDM) for culture of the samples. Twenty-one bulls infected with T. foetus were sampled repeatedly. On each sampling day, samples collected from the left and right sides of the bull were tested with one of the 2 diagnostic tests being compared. The effect of the type of diagnostic test on the outcome of the test was evaluated with a chi-square test for the calculated odds ratio. Because repeated tests from the same bull cannot be considered independent measures, unadjusted chi-square tests were adjusted for the effect of clustering by bull. Samples tested using the commercial kit were 6.95 times as likely to be positive as samples tested with a diagnostic test using MDM (P < 0.001).     

Bayesian estimation of Tritrichomonas foetus diagnostic test sensitivity and specificity in range beef bulls

Accuracy of culture for diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus was investigated in 2832 naturally exposed range beef bulls from 124 herds. Preputial fluid samples were inoculated into the culture medium, incubated at 37 degrees C, and daily examined. Diagnostic test was evaluated using Bayesian techniques to estimate sensitivity and specificity without a gold standard. Median posterior test sensitivity was 72.04% (95% probability interval: 58.07-86.38%) and specificity was 95.37% (95% probability interval: 94.07-96.65%). Low diagnostic test accuracy may have resulted from host and/or diagnostic test procedure related factors. Under natural range conditions, more accurate methods for T. foetus diagnostic and repeated preputial samplings of bulls may be necessary on trichomonosis control programs.     

Sample collection factors affect the sensitivity of the diagnostic test for Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls

The current diagnostic test for Tritrichomonas foetus involves the culture of collected preputial or vaginal samples. In an earlier study, which evaluated sampling tools for use with bulls, it was observed that the sensitivity of the diagnostic test was higher for 2nd samples collected from the right side of the prepuce than it was for samples collected 1st from the left side. The study described in this paper was conducted to evaluate which of these factors was responsible for the effect on diagnostic sensitivity. Twenty-nine bulls infected with T. foetus were repeatedly sampled in a 2-factor cross-over design. Samples taken from the right side of the prepuce were 4 times as likely to be positive as samples taken from the left side (P = 0.03). Other factors did not have a significant effect on the outcome of the diagnostic test. Unexpected factors may affect the sensitivity of the diagnostic test for T. foetus.     

In vitro cytopathic effects of a cysteine protease of Tritrichomonas foetus on cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cytopathic effects of Tritrichomonas foetus and a purified cysteine protease (ie, CP30) of T foetus on cultured bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) in vitro. SAMPLE POPULATION: 10 reproductive tracts were obtained from late-term bovine fetuses at a commercial abattoir. PROCEDURE: An in vitro culture system of BUECs was developed to study the cytopathic effects of T foetus and purified CP30 of T foetus on host cells. Cytotoxicity of T foetus or CP30 on exposed BUECs was determined. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses were used to detect apoptosis. A fluorometric assay was used to detect BUEC caspase 3 activation. The CP inhibitor E-64 and a caspase inhibitor were used to inhibit apoptosis. RESULTS: Cytopathic effects were observed in BUECs treated with parasites or CP30 and were concentration and time dependent. The BUECs underwent apoptosis in the presence of parasites or CP30. The specific CP inhibitor E-64 abolished the induction of apoptosis in BUECs by CP30. The caspase inhibitor reduced the amount of apoptosis in BUECs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: T foetus and its CP30 induce apoptosis in cultured BUECs in vitro. Induction of apoptosis by CP30 is correlated with protease activity. Endometrial cell death as a result of a T foetus infection is likely to be more important in mediating infertility than a direct effect on the conceptus. Provoking an apoptotic reaction in the host may mitigate an inflammatory reaction or immune response and therefore favor survival of the parasite in a chronic infection.     

Spatio-temporal epidemiology of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in Texas bulls based on state-wide diagnostic laboratory data

Texas is the largest cattle producing state and suffers severe economic losses due to abortions caused by the protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus. The objective of this study was to use data from the state-wide diagnostic laboratory system of Texas to investigate the occurrence and spatio-temporal distribution of bovine trichomoniasis (BT) in Texas, and to identify spatial disease clusters within the state. The study population consisted of bulls tested for BT in 2010 by the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory system that performs at least 95% of all T. foetus testing in the state. Preputial samples were cultured and diagnosis was made by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data on BT was aggregated at the county level with time aggregation of one month. The scan statistics was used to identify spatial disease clusters. The database included 31,202 test results with a proportion of positives of 3.7%. As expected, BT was present throughout Texas. Testing prevalence was highest in the summer (5.5%). The scan statistics identified a spatial cluster in southeastern Texas, which could only partially be explained by cattle herd density. The findings of this study provide baseline data to monitor the success of BT control activities in Texas and aids in generating hypotheses regarding specific risk factors for the disease. The identification of high-risk areas and periods is also essential to improve intervention efforts.     

Development of a novel diagnostic test for detection of bovine viral diarrhea persistently infected animals using hair

The purpose of this study was to determine whether manually plucked hairs might serve as an alternative sample for a quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) testing. Twenty three, 1~3 week old, non-bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccinated calves, found to be positive for BVDV by immunohistochemical staining, were selected and hairs were manually plucked from the ear. qRT-PCR was performed on samples consisting of more than 30 hairs (30~100) and whole blood. All 23 animals were positive for the virus by qRT-PCR performed on the whole blood and when samples of more than 30 hairs were assayed. Additionally, qRT-PCR was performed on groups of 10 and 20 hairs harvested from 7 out of 23 immunohistochemical staining-positive calves. When groups of 20 and 10 hairs were tested, 6 and 4 animals, respectively, were positive for the virus.     

Detection of Tritrichomonas foetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis in intestinal tissue specimens of cats by chromogenic in situ hybridization

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.     

Diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in bulls using two sampling methods and a transport medium.

Preputial exudates were collected from 3 bulls infected with Tritrichomonas foetus by scraping the mucosa with a specially designed instrument and by aspiration. For diagnostic purposes the scraping method was superior direct microscopic examination but both methods were equally good when the samples were cultured within 2 hours of collection. The organism remained viable in a transport medium for 24, 48 and 72 hours showing a lineal decrease in viability with time which was more than 3 times greater in samples aspirated than in samples scraped.     

牛支原体TaqMan探针实时荧光定量PCR检测方法的建立及应用

以牛支原体p80基因为靶基因,设计特异性引物与探针,优化反应体系,建立了牛支原体TaqMan探针实时荧光定量PCR(TaqMan real-time PCR)检测方法,并对该方法进行了特异性、敏感性、重复性评估以及临床样本检测。结果显示,特异性试验中,牛支原体2个菌株Cq值均小于18,其余13个非牛支原体菌株Cq值均大于36;敏感性试验中,最低可检3.89拷贝/μL靶DNA,是普通PCR的10~4倍(普通PCR 3.89×10~4拷贝/μL);重复性试验中,组内、组间重复的变异系数均小于1%;44份牛的临床样品利用TaqMan real time PCR检出6份阳性(阳性率为13.64%),分离培养鉴定检出7份阳性,普通PCR检测全部阴性。本研究建立了一种敏感、特异、稳定的牛支原体TaqMan real time PCR检测方法,可用于牛支原体的快速诊断和核酸定量检测。