Bacteria isolated from field cases of equine amnionitis and fetal loss.
Abstract: A series of unusual abortions occurred in Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse mares in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales from mid-March to November 2004. The initial link between early cases was the microbiological culture of atypical environmental coryneforms from the stomach contents and/or lungs of fetuses aborted on different properties. Methods: The unique pathologic lesions were described with a case definition and the term 'equine amnionitis and fetal loss' (EAFL) was established. Results: The causal factor was the ingestion of the processionary caterpillar (Ochrogaster lunifer). Bacteria from the Actinomycetales order were isolated from 40% of the combined suspect and confirmed EAFL cases and included Microbacterium arborescens, Cellulomonas sp., Arthrobacter spp. and Cellulosimicrobium sp. Other bacteria isolated included various Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci. Conclusions: Although the predominant type of bacteria isolated from EAFL was environmental coryneforms, it is important to note that a variety of bacteria were associated with the characteristic histopathological changes outlined by the case definition. This highlights the importance of histopathology on both fetal membranes and fetuses, as well as culture to confirm EAFL and to exclude other possible causes of abortion.
© 2013 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2013 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2013-03-26 PubMed ID: 23521098DOI: 10.1111/avj.12022Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research study investigated unusual cases of abortions in Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse mares in New South Wales, attributing the cause to the ingestion of processionary caterpillars and the associated bacteria within them. The study has led to the establishment of the term ‘equine amnionitis and fetal loss’ (EAFL).
Background and Methodology
- In 2004, a strange series of abortions occurred among Thoroughbred and Quarterhorse mares in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.
- Early cases revealed identical bacteria (coryneforms) isolated from the stomach content and/or lungs of the aborted fetuses on different properties, suggesting a common cause to these incidents.
- The researchers coined the term ‘equine amnionitis and fetal loss’ (EAFL) to describe these case-specific pathological changes and distinguish them from other forms of equine abortions.
Findings
- The primary cause of EAFL was found to be the ingestion of a specific type of caterpillar known as Ochrogaster lunifer.
- Bacteria belonging to the Actinomycetales order, which includes the Microbacterium arborescens, Cellulomonas sp., Arthrobacter spp., and Cellulosimicrobium sp., were isolated from 40% of the suspect and confirmed EAFL cases.
- In addition to these, a variety of other bacteria were associated with EAFL cases, including Gram-negative bacilli and Gram-positive cocci.
Conclusions
- While the majority of bacteria isolated from EAFL cases were found to be environmental coryneforms, several other varieties of bacteria were associated with the unique histopathological changes characteristic of EAFL.
- This underlines the critical role of histopathology in both fetal membranes and fetuses for diagnosing EAFL.
- Similarly, it also stresses the importance of bacterial culture to confirm EAFL while eliminating other potential causes of abortion.
Cite This Article
APA
Todhunter KH, Muscatello G, Blishen AJ, Chicken C, Perkins NR, Gilkerson JR, Begg AP.
(2013).
Bacteria isolated from field cases of equine amnionitis and fetal loss.
Aust Vet J, 91(4), 138-142.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12022 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Tails and Scales Veterinary Services, Scone, NSW, Australia. todhunter@westnet.com.au
MeSH Terms
- Aborted Fetus / microbiology
- Aborted Fetus / pathology
- Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
- Actinomycetales / isolation & purification
- Actinomycetales Infections / complications
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Chorioamnionitis / microbiology
- Chorioamnionitis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Moths / microbiology
- New South Wales
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Webb EM, Holman DB, Schmidt KN, Crouse MS, Dahlen CR, Cushman RA, Snider AP, McCarthy KL, Amat S. A Longitudinal Characterization of the Seminal Microbiota and Antibiotic Resistance in Yearling Beef Bulls Subjected to Different Rates of Gain.. Microbiol Spectr 2023 Mar 14;11(2):e0518022.
- Ricard RM, St-Jean G, Duizer G, Atwal H, Wobeser BK. A 13-year retrospective study of equine abortions in Canada.. Can Vet J 2022 Jul;63(7):715-721.
- Agerholm JS, Klas EM, Damborg P, Borel N, Pedersen HG, Christoffersen M. A Diagnostic Survey of Aborted Equine Fetuses and Stillborn Premature Foals in Denmark.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:740621.
- Aviles FA, Kyndt JA. Cellulosimicrobium fucosivorans sp. nov., isolated from San Elijo Lagoon, contains a fucose metabolic pathway linked to carotenoid production.. Arch Microbiol 2021 Sep;203(7):4525-4538.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
