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Molecular identification of Trichomonas tenax in the oral environment of domesticated animals in Poland – potential effects of host diversity for human health.
Abstract: The protozoan is considered to be a human specific flagellate of the oral cavity, found in humans with poor oral hygiene and advanced periodontal disease. Morphological variability and great similarity between species occurring in humans and animals, complicate the specific identification of trichomonads, using microscopic examination and other standard parasitological techniques. Objective: The aim of the study was to search for and identify in domesticated animals using molecular methods. The obtained data were assessed in terms of potential effects of a spread of the species deriving from the animals in the human environment. Methods: 301 animals: 142 dogs, 57 cats and 102 horses, were examined in terms of their mouth status and occurrence of trichomonads. ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 region was amplified and sequenced. Results: Finally, 7 dogs, 3 cats and 1 horse were diagnosed positive for by PCR. In the oral cavity of 9 /11 animals, gingivitis and dental plaque accumulation were diagnosed. 9 /11 sequences of trichomonad isolates showed 100% identity with sequence derived from the GenBank. The sequences of 2 isolates differed by substitutions. Conclusions: It was proved that , considered so far as a human specific parasite, can also inhabit the oral cavity of dog, cat and horse. To summarize, was detected in the mouths of different domesticated animals, indicating that in Poland it can colonize a wider range of hosts than previously known. The owners of 3 dogs showed oral tissue inflammation of different intensity and were also positive for ; therefore, oral trichomonosis spread from humans to domestic animals and conversely should be taken into consideration.
Publication Date: 2018-07-12 PubMed ID: 30260189DOI: 10.26444/aaem/92309Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This study investigates the presence of the protozoan Trichomonas tenax in the oral environment of domesticated animals in Poland, and assesses its potential impact on human health. It was observed that the organism, previously considered specific to humans, also inhabits the mouths of dogs, cats, and horses.
Objective
The researchers desired to locate and identify Trichomonas tenax in domesticated animals using molecular methods. The data obtained was analyzed in the context of potential transmission of the species from animals to humans.
Methods
- The team examined 301 animals: 142 dogs, 57 cats, and 102 horses concerning their oral health and occurrence of trichomonads.
- The ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 region in the animals’ samples was amplified and sequenced for further analysis.
Results
- Out of the total, 7 dogs, 3 cats, and 1 horse were found positive for Trichomonas tenax through PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests.
- In the mouths of 9 out of these 11 positive animals, the researchers diagnosed gingivitis and dental plaque accumulation, implying unhealthy oral conditions.
- Sequences of the trichomonad isolates from the majority of the animals, 9 out of 11, showed a 100% match with the Trichomonas tenax sequence fetched from GenBank, an open-access database that collects all publicly available genetic sequences. The remaining 2 isolates had different substitutions in their sequences.
Conclusion
- The presence of Trichomonas tenax, previously known to be a human-specific parasite, was confirmed in the mouths of dogs, cats, and horses. This suggests that in Poland, the organism can colonize a broader range of hosts than previously assumed.
- The owners of three dogs showed signs of oral tissue inflammation and also tested positive for the parasite. Therefore, the study suggests potential spread of oral trichomonosis from humans to domestic animals and vice versa, shedding light on a potential public health concern.
Cite This Article
APA
Dybicz M, Perkowski K, Baltaza W, Padzik M, Sędzikowska A, Chomicz L.
(2018).
Molecular identification of Trichomonas tenax in the oral environment of domesticated animals in Poland – potential effects of host diversity for human health.
Ann Agric Environ Med, 25(3), 464-468.
https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/92309 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. mon.tu@gmx.net.
- Department of Orthodontics, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. konrad.perkowski@wum.edu.pl.
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. wanda.baltaza@gmail.com.
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. marcin.padzik@wum.edu.pl.
- Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. sedzikowska.aleksandra@wum.edu.pl.
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland. lidia.chomicz@wum.edu.pl.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Domestic / parasitology
- Cat Diseases / parasitology
- Cats
- Dog Diseases / parasitology
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Host Specificity
- Humans
- Molecular Typing
- Mouth / parasitology
- Poland
- Trichomonas / classification
- Trichomonas / genetics
- Trichomonas / isolation & purification
- Trichomonas / physiology
- Trichomonas Infections / parasitology
- Trichomonas Infections / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Guo W, Liu T, Neves ALA, Long R, Degen A, Zhou M, Chen X. Transmission of fungi and protozoa under grazing conditions from lactating yaks to sucking yak calves in early life. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2023 Aug;107(15):4931-4945.
- Matthew MA, Yang N, Ketzis J, Mukaratirwa S, Yao C. Trichomonas tenax: A Neglected Protozoan Infection in the Oral Cavities of Humans and Dogs-A Scoping Review. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023 Jan 12;8(1).
- Carreiro CC, McIntosh D, Dos Santos DJ, de Paula Lopes S, de Jesus VLT. Morphological and molecular characterization of a species of Tetratrichomonas present in feces of Brazilian sheep (Ovis aries) and goats (Capra hircus). Parasitol Res 2020 Jan;119(1):233-242.
- Matthew M, Ketzis J, Mukaratirwa S, Yao C. Transmission Dynamics of Trichomonas tenax: Host and Site Specificity, Zoonotic Potential, and Environmental Factors. Microorganisms 2025 Jun 25;13(7).
- Gui LQ, Wu XH, Shi SL, Liu CC, Li MT, Ge XL, Ma JM, Gong RJ, Liu XC, Li WC. First Report of the Molecular Prevalence of Trichomonads from Oral Cavities in Household Dogs and Cats in East China. Acta Parasitol 2025 Jun 12;70(3):136.
- Tuska-Szalay B, Gilbert J, Takács N, Boldogh SA, Fáy J, Sterczer Á, Psáder R, Kontschán J, Izsó Á, Hornok S. Molecular-phylogenetic investigation of trichomonads in dogs and cats reveals a novel Tritrichomonas species. Parasit Vectors 2024 Jun 26;17(1):271.
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