The first report of clinical case of intestinal trichomoniasis caused by Tritrichomonas foetus in a cat with chronic diarrhea in Iran

Background: Tritrichomonas foetus is recently found to be one of the causes of chronic diarrhea in domestic cats but there is no report of feline intestinal trichomoniasis in Iran. Case description: A 9 months female domestic short-haired cat was referred to our hospital with a history of chronic diarrhea over the past two months, and with an unsuccessful previous antibiotic therapy in another clinic. Findings/treatment and outcome: Clinical examination revealed 39.8°C rectal temperature. Complete blood count (CBC) showed moderate inflammatory leukogram. By the wet-mount faecal assessment, moving organisms were observed. Rectal scarping dry-mount cytology revealed many inflammatory cells along with huge numbers of trophozoites with typical morphologic characteristics including central axostyle, undulating membrane, flagella, and one laterally located nucleus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of T. foetus. After treatment with metronidazole and probiotics, the cat was completely recovered. Conclusion: This study represents the first case of intestinal trichomoniasis in a cat with chronic diarrhea in Iran.