Diagnosis of bovine trichomoniasis

Abstract

Bovine trichomoniasis was first identified in the US in 1930s as a cause of reproductive failure in cattle and its impact continues. Because
bovine trichomoniasis transmission is strictly venereal under natural breeding conditions, its control and eradication are feasible.
However, failure to consistently and accurately identify infected animals and culling them have been major challenges. Generally, errors
in the 3 diagnostic phases (preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical) prevent correct classification of Tritrichomonas foetus status of
tested animals. The purpose of this review is to define these phases of diagnostic testing and discuss potential errors in each phase..