Novel genotype ofTritrichomonas foetusfrom cattle in Southern Africa

Abstract

SUMMARYBovine trichomonosis caused byTritrichomonas foetusis a significant reproductive disease of cattle. Preputial samples were collected using sheath washing technique in bulls in Namibia. Thirty-six trichomonad cultures were characterized using the TaqMan-probe commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic assay (VetMAX™-Gold Trich Detection Kit) and CYBR real-time PCR assay based on TFR3/4 primers. Diagnostic real-time PCRs and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed region confirmed presence ofT. foetusin 35 out of 36 samples. Multilocus genotyping using cysteine proteases (CP1, CP2, CP4, CP5, CP6, CP7, CP8, CP9) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH1) gene sequences demonstrate that theT. foetusin Namibia are genetically distinct from those characterized elsewhere. We report the discovery of a novel genotype ofT. foetusin Namibian cattle, distinct from otherT. foetusgenotypes in Europe, South and North America and Australia. We suggest recognition of a ‘Southern African’ genotype ofT. foetus. Identification of the new genotype ofT. foetusdemonstrates the need for wider global sampling to fully understand the diversity and origin ofT. foetuscausing disease in cattle or cats.