Testing for trichomoniasis is performed daily at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). If submitted properly, a sample can be accurately and efficiently tested, and results reported to the submitting veterinarian in a timely manner.
All samples must be incubated 48 hrs (36-38°C) prior to rtPCR testing; please plan accordingly. Clearly indicate on the submission paperwork if 24 or 48 hour in-clinic incubation at 36-38°C has occurred. If this is not clearly marked on the submission form, it is assumed the sample is not incubated. TVMDL will then incubate the sample for at least 48 hours before testing. Transit does not count as incubation.
Samples should be submitted with a TVMDL submission form and, for official record, a Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Trichomoniasis Test Record; both are available at tvmdl.tamu.edu. All identification numbers must be listed on the forms. The TAHC form must be submitted to be considered an official test. The following are required on TAHC Trich test record forms for testing to proceed in a timely manner:
- Veterinarian name, signature, and phone/fax
- Sample collection date
- In-clinic incubation at 36-38°C (none, 24, 48 hours
- All trich pouches must be labeled.
- Animal IDs on submittal forms must match the numbers written on the pouches
- Indicate if rtPCR or culture testing is requested
- Indicate if individual or pooled rtPCR is requested
Samples must be collected or inoculated into In-Pouch TF pouches that have not expired. Expired media may no longer support growth of the organism. By TAHC rule, expired pouches cannot be used for official testing. Diagnostic-only results (not TAHC official results) cannot be considered valid for any official purpose, including the sale or transfer of ownership of the animal. If the animal is to be used for breeding, it is always recommended to test the animal in accordance with the requirements of TAHC’s Trichmoniasis Testing Program.
Transit tubes are not validated for Trichomoniasis testing and cannot be accepted for official testing. Testing results from specimens submitted in transit tubes will contain a comment that the results are not from a sample to support a validated test and cannot be used for official purposes. Submit samples in approved In-Pouch TF pouches to avoid delay and ensure valid results.
Do not secure the trich pouch using tape or a paperclip. The sharp ends of the paperclip or removal of the tape will often damage the pouch and cause it to leak. Ensure that all the media is expressed into the lower chamber and roll/fold down the pouch until the white tape (looks like a twist-tie) is at the top of the provided label. Fold (do not twist together) the sides of the white tape across the pouch. Failure to follow the proper procedure for securing the trich pouch is the most common cause of samples leaking in transit. Leakage from a sample which is positive for trichomonas could result in cross contamination of other samples in the shipment, with false positive results for those contaminated samples.
Q: Does TVMDL have a tritrichomonas foetus rtPCR test for canines?
A: No. At this time the test has only been validated for feline and bovine species.
Q: Does TVMDL have a tritrichomonas foetus rtPCR test for felines?
A: When testing for feline trich, either submit a fresh fecal sample or an inoculated Feline In-Pouch TF pouch. The Feline In-Pouch has been optimized for feline trich detection as the bovine In-Pouch TF Trich pouches have been optimized for bovine trich detection.