First detection of Trichomonas tenax in dog and cat by PCR-RFLP

Prior to this study, Trichomonas tenax (Müller, 1773) Dobell, 1939 has been described only from the human oral cavity, though other trichomonads found in dogs and cats (species in close contact with man) were morphologically very similar. Verification of T. tenax occurrence in synanthropic animals was therefore the aim of this study. PCR based molecular analysis of the isolates obtained from a dog and a cat confirmed the presence of T. tenax in these animals. This is the first report of natural infection of domestic animals with T. tenax.