Trichomoniasis

Description

Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease of cattle which can cause infertility through early embryonic death and abortion. The disease is caused by a protozoan parasite Tritrichomonas foetus. The disease is uncommon in NSW and other states of southern Australia.

After infection a discharge usually occurs more commonly than with other venereal diseases such as Bovine Campylobacteriosis. In recently infected herds 5-30 per cent of cows can show clinical signs such as endometritis, vaginitis, cervicitis associated with mucopurulent discharge. In 5-10 per cent of cases pyometron may develop.

Infected bulls are considered to be permanent carriers therefore they are important to test to recover the organism. After two weeks of sexual rest is the best time to sample bulls. Testing for both Trichomoniasis and Bovine Campylobacteriosis is usually done on the same sample, collected from the prepuce of the bull (see link below).

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is supported by clinical history and confirmed by culture and DNA-based testing (PCR and RFLP) if trichomonads are observed in the culture. DNA-based testing is to ensure T. foetus has been identified and not non-pathogenic trichomonads.

Tests available

Test	Sample(s) required	Days of the week test is conducted	Turnaround time¹
Trichomonas culture	Vaginal mucus, Preputial scrapings or wash, foetal stomach content	Monday – Friday	7 working days
Trichomonad speciation by PCR and RFLP²	PCR and RFLP performed on Trichomonad culture	Monday - Friday	Up to 4 working days

¹Turnaround times are provided as a guide only. TAT does not include weekends or public holidays. For specific information about your submission please contact Customer Service.
² This test is not NATA accredited.

Video

Sampling Processes For Obligate Venereal Pathogens in Cattle (YouTube)

Additional Information

Specimen requirements

Foetal stomach contents
Foetal stomach contents, collected in a sterile container, must be delivered within 6 hours of collection, otherwise it must be transported in Tritrichomonas foetus Enrichment Medium (TFEM). TFEM is available from the laboratory upon request. IMPORTANT - Do not submit chilled* as organisms are sensitive to the cold. Please submit in an esky with NO frozen or cooled ice bricks or gel packs. Samples should be packaged so they are protected from extreme heat and cold, and maintained at room temperature (18-37oC) while in transit. Packing should comply with IATA biological substances transport requirements (see Additional Information). Clients should schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory. The laboratory should receive the samples within 48 hours of collection (delivery of samples within 24 hours of collection is preferred). Include the date of collection on the submission form. If it is suspected that samples have been exposed to temperatures outside of 5-37oC, target pathogen viability could have been affected. The laboratory reserves the right not to test these samples (refer to terms and conditions).

Foetal stomach contents

Foetal stomach contents, collected in a sterile container, must be delivered within 6 hours of collection, otherwise it must be transported in Tritrichomonas foetus Enrichment Medium (TFEM). TFEM is available from the laboratory upon request*.

IMPORTANT - Do not submit chilled

Please submit in an esky with NO frozen or cooled ice bricks or gel packs.
Samples should be packaged so they are protected from extreme heat and cold, and maintained at room temperature (18-37oC) while in transit.
Packing should comply with IATA biological substances transport requirements (see Additional Information).
Clients should schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory. The laboratory should receive the samples within 48 hours of collection (delivery of samples within 24 hours of collection is preferred). Include the date of collection on the submission form.
If it is suspected that samples have been exposed to temperatures outside of 5-37oC, target pathogen viability could have been affected. The laboratory reserves the right not to test these samples (refer to terms and conditions).

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

NSW DPI's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

For Edible oil & oilseed or Feed quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wagga Wagga on (02) 6938 1957

For Plant nutrition, Soil health or Water quality quotations and pricing enquiries, please contact DPI AgEnviro Labs at Wollongbar on (02) 6626 1103

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpi.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the SVDL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568