Horse species symposium: a novel approach to monitoring pathogen progression during uterine and placental infection in the mare using bioluminescence imaging technology and lux-modified bacteria.

The research study involves the development and application of a novel approach using bioluminescence imaging technology and transgenically modified bacteria to monitor the progression of uterine and placental infections in mares. The new method enables a real-time understanding of where infections occur and how they progress, which could aid in creating more targeted therapeutic interventions.

Novel Approach to Monitor Pathogen Progression

• The research introduces a novel method of tracking the progression of uterine and placental infections in mares in real time. This novel approach involves transgenically modifying bacteria with lux genes from either Xenorhabdus or Photorhabdus luminescens and utilizing biophotonic imaging.
• Most existing studies into pregnancy loss in mares rely on retrospective necropsy case submissions, which lacked real-time tracking of the infection’s development. This study breaks new ground by employing bioluminescent camera systems for detailed, dynamic tracking of pathogen progression during tissue invasion.

Advantages of Bioluminescence Imaging and Lux-Modified Bacteria

• Bioluminescence imaging technology and lux-modified bacteria allow for accurate tracking of pathogens in vivo in real time and over time, something previously impossible to achieve. This real-time monitoring is facilitated by the bioluminescent signals emitted by the genetically modified bacteria.
• The investigators successfully applied this new method in the mare and identified the fetal lungs, sinuses, nares, urinary, and gastrointestinal systems as primary spots for pathogen invasion after experimental infection with lux-modified Escherichia coli.
• Notably, no pathogens were detected in vital organs such as the liver, brain, and cardiac system. This discerning ability to locate the sites of pathogen invasion is crucial for precision in healthcare and can impact the development of targeted therapies for pathogen-related diseases.

Implications for Future Therapeutic Interventions

• The novel approach has potential far-reaching implications for the development of more targeted therapeutic interventions for pathogen-related diseases in horses and other domestic species. By understanding where and how quickly an infection spreads, medical professionals can develop more effective and targeted treatments.
• Despite being in its early stages, this novel application of bioluminescence imaging technology and lux-modified bacteria in domestic animals promises to provide an essential tool in better understanding and treating uterine and placental infections, a leading cause of pregnancy-related issues in mares.