Tritrichomonas foetus has been recognized as a cause of chronic colitis in cats in the last 20 years. The protozoan is now considered a common infectious causes of large bowel diarrhea. Dr. Jody Gookin and colleagues at the College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, explain that one of the more pressing challenges is that feline trichomonosis is resistant to all commonly used antiprotozoals.
Source: Science Daily, March 20, 2017.
Research has come a long way in advancing understanding of this infection, but many unanswered questions remain that are pivotal to future progress.
- Are feline and bovine T. foetus genotypes truly biologically distinct, residing in separate hosts, or is there the potential for cross-infection between cattle and cats?
- Should all cats in contact with a Tritrichomonas species infected cat also be treated?
- What is the long-term effect of Tritrichomonas species infection on feline gastrointestinal health, and
- Can safer and more effective drugs for treatment of the infection be identified?
INSIGHTS: The only drug demonstrated to be effective in cats is ronidazole, but this agent has a narrow safety margin and clinical resistance is increasing.