Comparative treatment of mares susceptible to chronic uterine infection.

The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of four intrauterine treatment strategies for mares that are vulnerable to chronic uterine infections due to Streptococcus zooepidemicus.

Study Design

• The researchers examined four different intrauterine treatments on mares proven to be susceptible to chronic uterine infection being specifically caused by a genital strain called Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
• These treatment strategies involved the use of autologous plasma, potassium penicillin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and large-volume lavages with normal saline solution. A fifth group was treated with vehicle alone (phosphate-buffered saline solution) as a negative control.

Methodology

• Pretreatment samples were collected at the detection of estrus and a preovulatory follicle over 35mm was noticed. The genital strain of Streptococcus zooepidemicus was then infused into the uterus.
• The mares were assigned to one of the four treatment groups or the control group, 12 hours after inoculation.
• To gauge the efficacy of the treatment, samples for culture and cytologic examination were harvested at 96 hours post bacterial inoculation.

Results

• The results revealed that treatment had an effect on the number of uterine neutrophils and the growth of S zooepidemicus.
• Intrauterine treatment with potassium penicillin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and large-volume uterine lavage significantly reduced the growth of S zooepidemicus as well as the neutrophil count.
• Autologous plasma was only successful in reducing the number of neutrophils but not in controlling the growth of S zooepidemicus.
• Additionally, a substantial correlation between the number of uterine neutrophils and growth of S zooepidemicus was observed for each treatment group.

Conclusion

• The results suggest that while all treatment strategies have some effect on chronic uterine infections in mares, intrauterine treatment with potassium penicillin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, and large-volume uterine lavage are significantly more effective in reducing the growth of S zooepidemicus and the number of neutrophils.