Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats with diarrhoea in a rescue colony in Italy

J Feline Med Surg. 2009 Feb;11(2):131-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jfms.2008.06.004. Epub 2008 Sep 5.

Abstract

Faecal samples from 74 cats with chronic large bowel diarrhoea that were living in a rescue colony in Italy, were submitted for assessment of Tritrichomonas foetus by direct microscopy of faecal smears (n=20) and T foetus-specific culture (n=74), with confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (n=1). Twenty-four of the cats (32%) were found to be infected with T foetus. The infected cats were predominantly over a year of age (67%) and were all neutered non-pedigree domestic cats.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cat Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cats
  • Diarrhea / drug therapy
  • Diarrhea / parasitology
  • Diarrhea / veterinary*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Protozoan Infections / complications
  • Protozoan Infections / drug therapy
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal*
  • Rescue Work
  • Ronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tritrichomonas foetus / drug effects
  • Tritrichomonas foetus / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Ronidazole