Trichomoniasis

Abstract

Trichomoniasis, or "trich," is a venereal disease of cattle caused by a protozoan parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus. The disease has been reported worldwide, and while few estimates of the geographic prevalence of trichomoniasis in the United States are available, veterinarians and research workers are reporting an increased rate of diagnosis in the western U.S. It is estimated that the economic losses to the U.S. beef industry from reduced conception rates, lowered weaning weights and increased culling due to this disease exceed $100 million annually.