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Frontiers in veterinary science2023; 10; 1102149; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1102149

Comparison of systemic trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine treatment and intrauterine ozone application as possible therapies for bacterial endometritis in equine practice.

Abstract: Bacterial endometritis is one of the major problems in equine reproduction and usually treated with antimicrobial drugs. The study aimed to compare the effects of intrauterine ozone application and systemic antibiotic treatment (trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine) on intrauterine bacterial growth and possible side effects on the endometrium in a clinical setting. Mares ( = 30) with signs of endometritis (positive uterine bacterial culture and cytological findings) were assigned randomly to different treatments: intrauterine insufflation of an ozone-air-mix (240 ml, 80 μg ozone/ml) twice at a 48 h-interval (Ozone; = 10), systemic antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine (30 mg/kg, p.o., twice daily) for 5 days (TMS; = 10), or intrauterine insufflation of air (240 ml, sterile-filtered) twice at a 48 h-interval (air; = 10). Endometrial biopsy for histological examination was obtained before the treatment. Histological examination revealed no differences among groups. A control examination, including transrectal ultrasound, bacterial culture, cytological evaluation, and biopsy, was performed 7 days after the last treatment. Overall bacterial growth was reduced in every group after the treatment ( 0.05]. However, Ozone and TMS ( 0.05). No effects on the number of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (cytology) were observed ( > 0.05). In conclusion, trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine and intrauterine ozone insufflation are safe treatment options for bacterial endometritis in mares but the efficacy of both treatments in reducing bacterial growth did not result in a complete absence of intrauterine bacterial growth.
Copyright © 2023 Köhne, Hofbauer, Böttcher, Tönissen, Hegger, Görgens, Ulrich and Sieme.
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Publication Date: 2023-01-27 PubMed ID: 36777673PubMed Central: PMC9911668DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1102149Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 investigates the efficacy of two treatments for bacterial endometritis in horses: traditional antibiotic therapy (trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine) and a newer approach involving the application of ozone directly into the uterus. The study did not find significant differences between the two treatments but did determine that both are safe options for addressing the disease.

Overview and Purpose of Research

  • The study was designed to compare the effects of two treatments for bacterial endometritis, a common obstacle in equine reproduction.
  • The treatments in question were systemic antibiotic therapy, specifically trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine, and the intrauterine application of an ozone-air-mix.
  • The aim was to observe any effects these treatments had on intrauterine bacterial growth and to check for potential side effects on the endometrium.

Methodology of the Study

  • The study involved 30 mares (female horses) that showed signs of endometritis, as confirmed by positive uterine bacterial culture and cytological findings.
  • These mares were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: those to receive intrauterine ozone application, those to receive the antibiotic treatment, and those to have a control treatment of intrauterine air application.
  • Before the treatment, an endometrial biopsy was conducted for histological examination. Seven days after the last treatment, a control examination was performed involving transrectal ultrasound, bacterial culture, cytological evaluation, and biopsy.

Results of the Study

  • It was observed that bacterial growth was reduced in all groups irrespective of the type of treatment received.
  • However, the ozone and antibiotic treatments were found to be more effective in reducing the growth of gram-negative bacteria compared to the air (control treatment).
  • There were no observed effects on the number of polymorphonuclear granulocytes (a type of white blood cell).
  • Importantly, despite the reduction in bacterial growth, neither treatment resulted in a complete absence of intrauterine bacterial growth. This indicates that while both methods can help manage the condition, they may not entirely eliminate the disease.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The study concluded that both trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine and intrauterine ozone insufflation are safe treatment options for bacterial endometritis in mares.
  • However, the efficacy of both treatments in significantly reducing bacterial growth did not lead to a complete elimination of intrauterine bacterial growth, suggesting the need for continued research and alternative treatment methods.

Cite This Article

APA
Köhne M, Hofbauer L, Böttcher D, Tönissen A, Hegger A, Görgens A, Ulrich R, Sieme H. (2023). Comparison of systemic trimethoprim-sulfadimethoxine treatment and intrauterine ozone application as possible therapies for bacterial endometritis in equine practice. Front Vet Sci, 10, 1102149. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1102149

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 1102149
PII: 1102149

Researcher Affiliations

Köhne, Martin
  • Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Hofbauer, Lisa
  • Clinic for Horses Mühlen, Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany.
Böttcher, Denny
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Tönissen, Anna
  • Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
Hegger, Anna
  • Clinic for Horses Mühlen, Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany.
Görgens, Alexandra
  • Clinic for Horses Mühlen, Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany.
Ulrich, Reiner
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
Sieme, Harald
  • Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Köhne M, Hüsch R, Tönissen A, Schmidt M, Müsken M, Böttcher D, Hirnet J, Plötz M, Kittler S, Sieme H. Isolation and characterization of bacteriophages specific to Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and evaluation of efficacy ex vivo. Front Microbiol 2024;15:1448958.
    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1448958pubmed: 39529671google scholar: lookup
  2. Mazzuchini MP, Lisboa FP, de Castro JI, Alvarenga MA, Segabinazzi LGTM, Canisso IF. In vitro antimicrobial activity of non-traditional therapies for infectious endometritis in mares. Equine Vet J 2025 Jul;57(4):1118-1126.
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