Immunohistochemical and molecular approaches for the diagnosis of Trichomonas fetus in natural cases of bovine abortion

Rapid and precise diagnosis plays an important role in implementing suitable control strategies and further reducing the economic losses to farmers in natural field cases of bovine abortion. In the present study, gross, histopathological, immunohistochemical and realtime PCR technique for the amplification of beta tubulin gene of Trichomonas fetus were applied in abortion cases. Trichomonosis was obsereved in four aborted fetuses. Examination of placenta revealed few to numerous trichomonads located in the chorionic stroma and were scattered in the stroma with marked, focal accumulations often immediately subjacent to the epithelium. Monoclonal antibody labeled Trichomonas fetus organisms could be observed in the placental tissue and fetal lungs. A total of 6 samples (two each from placental cotyledons, lungs tissue and vaginal discharges) were found positive by real-time PCR for Trichomonas fetus in aborted bovines. Real time PCR technique and using beta tubulin gene is the most sensitive technique used and first time for has been used diagnosis of Trichomonas fetus associated abortion in bovine.