Frequency of potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal isolates among 28,887 endometrial samples from mares, with an emphasis on multi-drug resistant bacteria in Germany (2018-2022).

The study aims to examine the frequency of potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal isolates found in endometrial samples from mares in Germany, with a special focus on multi-drug resistant bacteria. The research indicates that a notable percentage of the bacterial cultures showed growth of pathogenic bacteria, with β-hemolytic streptococci taking the lead, followed by several other bacteria. The researchers note that the frequency of multidrug-resistant bacteria was modest but should be closely monitored.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

• This study aims to shed light on the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in the endometrial samples from mares in Germany.
• The research focuses on the frequency of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
• The study analyzes microbiological culture results from 28,887 endometrial samples collected between 2018 and 2022 from a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory.

Findings on Bacterial Species

• The analyses revealed that 25.9% of culture results showed the growth of facultative pathogenic bacteria.
• The most predominantly isolated bacteria were β-hemolytic streptococci (79.7%), followed by E. coli variatio haemolytica (5.2%).
• E. coli was cultured in 4.3% of the samples, which was more frequent than Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.9%) and other bacterial species.

Antibiotic Sensitivity Findings

• Almost all cultured samples of β-hemolytic streptococci showed sensitivity towards penicillins (99.5%).
• 96.2% of E. coli isolates were sensitive to gentamicin.

Findings on Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

• 3.1% of all positive culture results were multidrug-resistant, ESBL-positive bacteria, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• The frequency of these resistant isolates was relatively stable over the period of five years from 2018 to 2022.

Conclusions

• The study’s results show that while the situation regarding the occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in Germany is favorable, it should still be monitored closely due to the potential risks posed by these organisms.