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Open veterinary journal2025; 15(8); 3670-3676; doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i8.30

Microbial profile of post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares from the Al-Hira District, Iraq.

Abstract: in Arabian mares poses a significant reproductive challenge, necessitating proper pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility determination. Unassigned: To investigate the prevalence of intrauterine pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Arabian mares with postbreeding endometritis. Unassigned: Seventeen Arabian mares were examined clinically and ultrasonographically. Uterine swabs were collected for bacterial isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Unassigned: Clinical endometritis was detected in 29.4% of the mares. Ultrasonographic examination revealed varying degrees of uterine wall thickness: slight (58.82%), moderate (11.76%), and severe (29.41%). was the predominant pathogen (76.47%), followed by Streptococcus spp. (11.76%), with mixed infections occurring in 11.76% of cases. Both pathogens exhibited high resistance to several antimicrobials but significant susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics and selected fluoroquinolones. Unassigned: was the primary pathogen associated with postbreeding endometritis in Arabian mares. The high antimicrobial resistance patterns observed emphasize the importance of culture-based treatment selection. β-lactam antibiotics showed promising efficacy against both isolated pathogens.
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Publication Date: 2025-08-31 PubMed ID: 41035988PubMed Central: PMC12483455DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i8.30Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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.

Overview

  • This research investigated the types of bacteria causing post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares in Al-Hira District, Iraq, and tested how these bacteria respond to different antibiotics.
  • The study identified the most common pathogens and revealed their antibiotic resistance patterns to guide effective treatment.

Introduction to Post-Breeding Endometritis in Arabian Mares

  • Post-breeding endometritis is an inflammation of the uterine lining occurring after breeding, which can significantly affect the reproductive performance of mares.
  • Proper identification of the microbial agents involved is crucial for effective treatment and management, especially in Arabian mares, which are a valuable breed.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility profiling helps to determine the most effective antibiotics, reducing the risk of ineffective treatment and antibiotic resistance.

Objectives of the Study

  • To determine the prevalence of uterine infections caused by bacteria in Arabian mares after breeding.
  • To identify the specific bacterial pathogens involved in post-breeding endometritis.
  • To test these bacteria for their susceptibility or resistance to commonly used antibiotics.

Methods

  • Seventeen Arabian mares were clinically examined for signs of endometritis and underwent ultrasonographic evaluation to assess the thickness of the uterine wall.
  • Uterine swabs were collected from these mares to isolate and identify bacterial pathogens.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on isolates to determine which antibiotics were effective or ineffective against these bacteria.

Key Findings

  • Clinical endometritis was diagnosed in approximately 29.4% of the mares.
  • Ultrasound results showed uterine wall thickening with severity varying as follows:
    • Slight thickening in 58.82% of mares.
    • Moderate thickening in 11.76%.
    • Severe thickening in 29.41%.
  • A primary bacterial pathogen (name not specified in the abstract but dominant) accounted for 76.47% of infections.
  • Streptococcus species were the second most common pathogens, responsible for 11.76% of infections.
  • Mixed infections involving more than one bacterial type occurred in 11.76% of the cases.
  • Both the dominant pathogen and Streptococcus spp. showed:
    • High resistance to many antimicrobials tested.
    • Significant susceptibility, or effectiveness, to β-lactam antibiotics and selected fluoroquinolones.

Implications of the Study

  • The dominant pathogen identified is primarily responsible for post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares from the Al-Hira District.
  • The high levels of antimicrobial resistance observed highlight the importance of performing culture and sensitivity testing before selecting antibiotics in order to ensure successful treatment.
  • β-lactam antibiotics demonstrated promising efficacy, making them good candidates for treating uterine infections in these mares.
  • Use of targeted antibiotics based on susceptibility patterns can help reduce the risk of further antimicrobial resistance and improve reproductive outcomes.

Conclusion

  • This study underscores the significance of microbiological surveillance in managing post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares.
  • Effective treatment depends on identifying the causative bacteria and using antibiotics to which these pathogens are susceptible.
  • Findings support the use of β-lactam antibiotics and some fluoroquinolones for treating this condition in mares from the Al-Hira District, Iraq.
  • Future research may focus on larger sample sizes and long-term treatment outcomes to further validate these findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Alfatlawy HJ. (2025). Microbial profile of post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares from the Al-Hira District, Iraq. Open Vet J, 15(8), 3670-3676. https://doi.org/10.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i8.30

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 8
Pages: 3670-3676

Researcher Affiliations

Alfatlawy, Hella J
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Kufa, Kufa, Iraq.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Endometritis / veterinary
  • Endometritis / microbiology
  • Endometritis / epidemiology
  • Endometritis / drug therapy
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Iraq / epidemiology
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
  • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • Prevalence
  • Streptococcus / isolation & purification
  • Streptococcus / drug effects

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article.

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