Detection of a common genotype among strains of Taylorella equigenitalis isolated from thoroughbred horses in Japan between 1994 and 1996.

This study examines the genetic traits of Taylorella equigenitalis strains in Japanese thoroughbred horses from 1994-1996, finding a common genotype (J) among the samples which differentiates them from the disease strains found in non-Japanese breeds.

Study Purpose

• The study aimed at investigating whether a unique genotype, called Genotype J, could be detected amongst the newly isolated strains of Taylorella equigenitalis found between 1994 and 1996 in Japan.
• This research followed a previous study by the same researchers (MIYAZAWA et. al 1995).

Methodology

• The research team examined 21 new strains of the disease T. equigenitalis. These strains were isolated between 1994-1996 in Japan.
• They compared the gel electrophoretic profiles of these strains with those of an older reference strain (EQ59).
• The electrophoretic profiles were developed after separate digestion of the strains with two restriction enzymes (ApaI and NotI).

Findings

• The research team found that the electrophoretic profiles of all the studied strains were similar to each other, but different from the reference strains T. equigenitalis NCTC11184T and KENTUCKY 188.
• This indicated that the examined strains all contain the genotype J, which was not found in the reference strains.
• Therefore, the study suggests that no strains of T. equigenitalis with any genotype other than J may have reached Japan from 1980 to 1996.

Conclusion & Implications

• Based on their study, the researchers concluded that strains with genotype J have survived in Japan since the first invasion of contagious equine metritis into Japan.
• This isolate identification is crucial for epidemiological studies and for controlling the spread of the disease among animals in the country.