Trichomonas gallinae is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan parasite, and the most common etiologic agent
of epidemic trichomonosis in columbid and passerine species. In this study, free-ranging Pacific Coast
band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) in California (USA) were found to be infected with
trichomonad protozoa that were genetically and morphologically distinct from T. gallinae. In microscopic
analysis, protozoa were significantly smaller in length and width than T. gallinae and were bimodal in
morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2, rpb1, and hydrogenosomal Fe-hydrogenase
regions revealed that the protozoan shares an ancestor with Trichomonas vaginalis, the sexually-transmitted
agent of trichomoniasis in humans. Clinical and pathologic features of infected birds were similar to
infections with T. gallinae. Evidence presented here strongly support taxonomical distinction of this
parasite, which we hereby name Trichomonas stableri n. sp. This work contributes to a growing body of
evidence that T. gallinae is not the sole etiologic agent of avian trichomonosis, and that the incorporation
of molecular tools is critical in the investigation of infectious causes of mortality in birds.
Trichomonas gallinae is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan parasite, and the most common etiologic agent
of epidemic trichomonosis in columbid and passerine species. In this study, free-ranging Pacific Coast
band-tailed pigeons (Patagioenas fasciata monilis) in California (USA) were found to be infected with
trichomonad protozoa that were genetically and morphologically distinct from T. gallinae. In microscopic
analysis, protozoa were significantly smaller in length and width than T. gallinae and were bimodal in
morphology. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS1/5.8S/ITS2, rpb1, and hydrogenosomal Fe-hydrogenase
regions revealed that the protozoan shares an ancestor with Trichomonas vaginalis, the sexually-transmitted
agent of trichomoniasis in humans. Clinical and pathologic features of infected birds were similar to
infections with T. gallinae. Evidence presented here strongly support taxonomical distinction of this
parasite, which we hereby name Trichomonas stableri n. sp. This work contributes to a growing body of
evidence that T. gallinae is not the sole etiologic agent of avian trichomonosis, and that the incorporation
of molecular tools is critical in the investigation of infectious causes of mortality in birds.
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