Bacterial and fungal microflora on the external genitalia of male donkeys (Equus asinus).

The research article primarily details a study conducted on the bacterial and fungal microflora found on the external genitalia of healthy male donkeys in Michigan, USA, aiming to determine the range and frequency of these microorganisms.

Study Overview

The researchers in this study used seven different isolation mediums and standard microbiological procedures to investigate the types and commonality of microorganisms present on the external genitalia of male donkeys.

• 43 male donkeys were involved in the study in the region of Michigan, USA.
• Various reproductive areas were cultured and the isolated microorganisms were analyzed, including the urethral fossa, dorsal diverticulum of the urethral sinus, distal urethra, and penile surface.
• 43 donkeys all demonstrated the presence of gram-positive bacteria across all sampled areas. The number of species ranged from 2-8.
• Ten different genera of gram-positive bacteria, eight different genera of gram-negative bacteria, and two genera of fungi were identified from the collected data.

Most Common Bacteria

Among the most frequently isolated gram-positive bacteria were:

• Arcanobacterium spp.
• Corynebacterium spp.
• Bacillus spp.

Meanwhile, among the gram-negative bacteria, the most isolated were:

• Acinetobacterlwoffii
• Oligella urethralis
• Taylorellaasinigenitalis

Fungal Infections

Fungi were present in only 11.6% of the donkeys, with the most common being Rhizopus spp. (found in 7% of cases) and Cladosporium spp. (found in 4.7% of cases).

Other Findings and Conclusions

No significant differences were observed in the bacterial flora between prepubertal and mature intact and castrated donkeys. The materials collected from 40 castrated donkeys proved to be culture negative, implying no observable bacterial or fungal growth.

• Many known equine pathogens were notably absent across the sample population studied.
• An interesting aspect of the research was the isolation of T. asinigenitalis from normal donkeys, especially prepubertal individuals and previously castrated males.