What percentage of tests has a false positive result?
False positives can occasionally occur; CAHFS lab data suggests the false positive rate is less than five percent (<5%) of all positive cultures read by the lab. When false positives do occur, it is most likely due to the presence of a fecal trichomonad. Fecal trichs are routinely detected in young, group-raised virgin bulls as well as in mature breeding bulls. If a virgin bull cultures positive, it is more likely to be a NTfT (non T. foetus trichomonad or fecal trich). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can confirm culture results. PCR confirmation is recommended, but not required, for herds diagnosed with trichomonosis for the first time or if positive culture results are obtained from virgin bull samples. Specific PCR primers exist to differentiate Tritrichomonas foetus from fecal trichomonads. PCR testing can be done through CAHFS laboratories.
