摘要
m>Tritrichomonasm> spp. are parasitic protozoans that proliferate on mucus membranes of the urogenital, gastro-intestinal or nasal tract. For instance, m>Tritrichomonas foetusm> is an important cause of reproductive failure in cattle. Some years ago, m>T.聽foetusm> was also identified as a causative agent of diarrhoea in cats. Previous studies on the morphological, physiological and molecular levels have raised doubts as to the phylogenetic relationship among some m>Tritrichomonasm> species, particularly in relation to m>T.聽foetus, Tritrichomonas suis,m> and m>Tritrichomonas mobilensism>. With the advent of molecular genetic tools, it has become clear that these three tritrichomonad species are closely related or may even represent the same species. Indeed, since recently, m>T.聽suism> and m>T.聽foetusm> are generally considered as one species, with m>T.聽mobilensism> being a closely related sister taxon. To date, molecular studies have not yet been able to resolve the taxonomic (specific) status of m>T.聽foetusm> from cattle and cats. In the future, novel genomic approaches, particularly those involving next generation sequencing are poised to resolve the taxonomy of m>Tritrichomonasm> spp. Here, we review the literature on the current state of knowledge of the taxonomy of m>T.聽foetusm>, m>T.聽suism>, and m>T.聽mobilensism> with special reference to the relationship between m>T.聽foetusm> from cattle and cats.
