Trichomonads are small unicellular organisms that can be detected in many wild and domestic animals. Most of these Trichomonads are non-pathogenic commensals or cause mild disease. A clinically significant member of this group is the species Tritrichomonas (T.) fetus, the causative agent of bovine trichomonosis. The pathogen is transmitted during mating. While the infection in the bull is usually asymptomatic, it can lead to vaginitis, endometritis and abortions in cows. Bulls play an important role in the transmission of trichomonads, as they can be carriers of the parasite and may excrete the parasite lifelong. The disease is notifiable.
Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) of cattle and buffalo is characterised by an acute, highly fatal septicaemia with high morbidity and mortality. HS is considered one of the few bacterial transmissible transboundary diseases that causes very high losses among domestic cattle and buffalo in its classic areas of distribution in Asia and Africa (FAO, 2005). The WOAH limits the reporting requirement for HS to cases of acute septicaemia caused by Pasteurella multocida serotypes B:2 (Asian type) and E:2 (African type) according to the Carter-Heddelston serotyping scheme. These correspond to serotypes 6:B and 6:E according to the synonymously used Namioka-Carter system (WOAH).
The working group also operates the sequencing laboratory (Illumina and Oxford Nanopore). These platforms are available to the IBIZ working groups. The data from research, routine diagnostics and NRL activities are evaluated and validated in collaboration with the Bioinformatics Working Group.
Tasks
- Development of recommendations for disease control and diagnostics
- Phenotypic and molecular characterization of bacteria
- Research on virulence and pathomechanisms
- Prevalence and resistance studies