By TVMDL, The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory protects animal and human health through diagnostics. An agency of the Texas A&M University System, TVMDL comprises two full-service laboratories, in College Station and Amarillo, and two poultry laboratories, in Center and Gonzales
Trichomoniasis testing is performed daily at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL). If submitted properly, a “Trich” sample can be accurately and efficiently tested, and results reported to the submitting veterinarian in a timely manner. Follow the advice below for submitting Trich PCR samples for testing.
All Trich samples must be incubated 48 hrs (36-38°C) prior to PCR testing; please plan accordingly.Clearly indicate on paperwork if 24/48 hr (36-38°C) in-clinic incubation has occurred. If not clearly marked on paperwork no incubation is assumed and samples will be incubated for at least 48 hrs before they are tested. NOTE: Time in transit does not count as incubation.
Trich samples should be submitted with at TVMDL submission form and, for official record, a Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) Trich test record form; both are available at tvmdl.tamu.edu. Please ensure that all IDs are 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:
- Vet name and signature and phone/fax number
- Sample collection date
- In-clinic incubation at 36-38°C (none, 24, 48 hours)
- Animal IDs on submittal forms must match what is written on the Trich pouches
- PCR or culture indication
- Individual PCR or pooled PCR in the ‘remarks’ section
- Ensure all Trich pouches are labeled
Please ensure that samples are collected/inoculated into In-Pouch TF pouches that have not passed the expiration date on the pouch. Expired media may no longer support growth of the organism and by TAHC rules, 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 the TAHC’s Trichmoniasis Testing Program.
Transit tubes are not validated for Trichomoniasis testing and cannot be accepted for official testing at this time. 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. Please submit samples in approved In-Pouch TF pouches.
Securing the Trich pouch by using means other than the procedure outlined on our website, such as tape or a paperclip, is not recommended as the sharp ends of the paperclip, or removal of the tape, will often damage the pouch and cause it to leak during incubation. 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. Then 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 the cross contamination of other samples in the shipment, with false positive results for those contaminated samples.
Q: Does TVMDL have a Tritrichomonas foetus qPCR 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 qPCR 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.
Download a printer-friendly version of this publication: TVMDL Submitting Samples for Trich PCR
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