Microbial Prevalence and Antimicrobial Sensitivity in Equine Endometritis in Field Conditions.
Abstract: Endometritis is one of the main causes of infertility in mares. In the present study, 363 mares with a history of repetitive infertility, and positive endometrial cytology and/or vaginal discharge were included. An endometrial swab for microbiological purposes plus sensitivity test was obtained from each mare. A positive culture was obtained in 89% of mares. The main isolated genera were (25.1%), (18.2%), (17.3%) and (12.1%). With regard to species, the most isolated microorganism was (17.3%), spp. (15.6%) and spp. (13.5%). Sensitivity tests showed that the most efficient antimicrobial was amikacin (57.3% of cultures), followed by cefoxitin (48.6%) and gentamicin (48.3%). When sensitivity test was analyzed in terms of Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, Gram+ were highly resistant to cephaloridine (77.3% of cultures), apramycin (70.8%) and penicillin (62.3%), whereas Gram- were highly resistant to penicillin (85.8%), followed by cephaloridine (78.9%). In conclusion, the present study shows the most prevalent microorganisms isolated from equine endometritis, which were found to be resistant to β-lactam antimicrobials. Likewise, these results highlight the significance of performing microbiological analyses as well as sensitivity tests prior to applying an antimicrobial therapy.
Publication Date: 2021-05-20 PubMed ID: 34065566PubMed Central: PMC8160901DOI: 10.3390/ani11051476Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article investigates the common microbes present in equine endometritis conditions and their sensitivity to different antimicrobials. It emphasizes performing microbiological analysis and sensitivity tests before treating with antimicrobials.
Research objective and methodology
- This study aimed at identifying the major microbes that cause endometritis—an inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus in horses—which is a prevalent cause of fertility issues. It also sought to determine the sensitivities of these microbes to different antimicrobials.
- The research incorporated 363 mares that had shown a pattern of repetitive infertility and had visible signs of endometritis such as inflammatory vaginitis (discharge) and/or positive endometrial cytology.
- Endometrial swabs were obtained from each mare for microbiological examination and antimicrobial sensitivity testing.
Key findings
- It was found that about 89% of the mares had cultures yielding positive results, showing the presence of bacteria.
- The most frequently isolated microbes were not specified in the abstract but it mentioned significant microorganism percentages.
- In terms of species, the abstract did not clearly mention the species but gave the percentages of the most common microorganisms.
- From the sensitivity tests, it was determined that amikacin was the most effective antimicrobial, with a success rate of 57.3%. This was followed by cefoxitin and gentamicin, with rates of 48.6% and 48.3%, respectively.
Insights on antimicrobial resistance
- The study detailed how the microbes’ resistance varied according to their Gram stain—which categorizes them either as Gram+ or Gram- bacteria. Gram+ bacteria were highly resistant to cephaloridine, apramycin, and penicillin; while Gram- bacteria were mostly resistant to penicillin and cephaloridine.
- A key finding was the high resistance of the detected microorganisms to β-lactam antimicrobials, a class of antibiotics that includes penicillin.
Key takeaway
- The predominant microbes causing endometritis and their antimicrobial resistance profiles were identified. The research emphasized the importance of conducting microbiological tests and sensitivity analyses for precise administration of antimicrobial therapy.
Cite This Article
APA
Díaz-Bertrana ML, Deleuze S, Pitti Rios L, Yeste M, Morales Fariña I, Rivera Del Alamo MM.
(2021).
Microbial Prevalence and Antimicrobial Sensitivity in Equine Endometritis in Field Conditions.
Animals (Basel), 11(5), 1476.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051476 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Unit of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ES-35416 Arucas, Spain.
- Department of Clinical Science, Veterinary Faculty, University of Liege, B-4000 Liege, Belgium.
- Equine Medicine Services, Veterinary Hospital, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ES-235416 Arucas, Spain.
- Biotechnology of Animal and Human Reproduction (TechnoSperm), Institute of Food and Agricultural Technology, University of Girona, ES-17003 Girona, Spain.
- Unit of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ES-35416 Arucas, Spain.
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ES-08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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