Immunohistochemical detection of Tritrichomonas foetus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of bovine placenta and fetal lung

J Vet Diagn Invest. 1995 Jan;7(1):98-101. doi: 10.1177/104063879500700116.

Abstract

An immunohistochemical technique using a monoclonal antibody was evaluated as a diagnostic tool to specifically label Tritrichomonas foetus in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of placenta and fetal lung from bovine abortions. Trichomonads were demonstrated in tissues from each of 12 abortions due to T. foetus and none of 15 abortions due to other or unidentified causes. Moderate to marked background staining occurred only in severely autolyzed tissues from T. foetus-infected fetuses. The antibody faintly labeled 1 of 3 other species of trichomonads (Trichomonas gallinae) but did not label other protozoa, bacteria, or fungi tested.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology*
  • Abortion, Veterinary / pathology
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cattle Diseases*
  • Chorionic Villi / microbiology
  • Chorionic Villi / pathology
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Lung / embryology
  • Lung / microbiology*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Placenta / microbiology*
  • Placenta / pathology
  • Pregnancy
  • Protozoan Infections / pathology
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal*
  • Tritrichomonas foetus / isolation & purification*