Responses of pony mares to the agent of contagious equine metritis 1977.
Abstract: Reproduction of contagious equine metritis 1977 in Pony mares was achieved with cultures of an unclassified Gram-negative coccobacillus. Infected mares developed a vaginal discharge and associated inflammatory changes of the cervix and vagina. There was evidence of variation in pathogenicity between different strains of the organism. Although all infected mares made spontaneous clinical recoveries, the Gram-negative coccobacillus persisted in the genital tracts of a considerable proportion for a variable period after challenge. Recovery of the organism was not associated solely with the occurrence of oestrus. None of the mares has carried over infection into the following breeding season. There was no evidence of localization of the organism in the urinary tract. Cytological examination of smears of cervical and urethral swabs was of diagnostic value only during the clinical phase of the infection. A serological response was demonstrable in all mares that became infected after exposure to the Gram-negative coccobacillus. The complement-fixation test gave more specific and clear-cut results than either the agglutination or the antiglobulin test, with which there was a problem with non-specific reactions. The experimental findings indicate the value of the complement-fixation test for confirming recent cases of contagious equine metritis in the mare.
Publication Date: 1979-01-01 PubMed ID: 289811
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- 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.
The research studied the effects of an unclassified bacterial strain on the development of contagious equine metritis in pony mares, evaluating infection persistence, disease symptoms and recovery, as well as serological responses and diagnostic methods.
Research Background and Methodology
- The researchers wanted to investigate the effects of an unclassified Gram-negative coccobacillus bacterium on the reproduction of pony mares.
- They studied different aspects, such as the onset of symptoms, how long the infection persisted, the recovery process, and whether the infection carried over to the next breeding season.
- In addition, they evaluated serological responses—the reactions of the immune system to the infection—and compared the effectiveness of different diagnostic tests.
Findings and Observations
- All infected pony mares developed visible signs of infection, such as a vaginal discharge and inflammation in the cervix and vagina.
- Significant variations were found in the pathogenicity, or ability to cause disease, among different strains of the bacterium.
- While all mares recovered spontaneously, the bacterium persisted in their genital tracts for varying periods post-infection.
- There were no indications of the bacterium localizing in the urinary tract, and none of the mares carried the infection into the next breeding season.
- The infection’s persistence wasn’t associated solely with the mare’s oestrus, or sexual receptivity phase.
Diagnostic Testing and Serological Response
- Evaluations showed that cytological examinations of smears from cervical and urethral swabs were of diagnostic value only during clinically active infection.
- All mares presented a serological response to the bacterium, indicating activation of their immune system.
- Among different diagnostic tests, the complement-fixation test (a diagnostic tool checking for the presence of certain antibodies) produced more accurate and clearer results than agglutination or antiglobulin tests, which had issues with non-specific reactions.
Implications of the Study
- This research provides valuable insights about contagious equine metritis in pony mares, particularly in relation to infection diagnosis and recovery patterns.
- The findings about the complement-fixation test’s superior effectiveness give veterinarians a helpful tool for diagnosing recent cases of this disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Timoney PJ, O'Reilly PJ, McArdle JF, Ward J, Harrington AM, McCormack R.
(1979).
Responses of pony mares to the agent of contagious equine metritis 1977.
J Reprod Fertil Suppl(27), 367-375.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bacterial Infections / pathology
- Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Exudates and Transudates / pathology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Uterine Cervicitis / microbiology
- Uterine Cervicitis / pathology
- Uterine Cervicitis / veterinary
- Vaginitis / microbiology
- Vaginitis / pathology
- Vaginitis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Timoney PJ, Shin SJ, Lein DH, Jacobson RH. Transmissibility of the contagious equine metritis organism for the cat. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 1984;7(2):131-40.
- Hitchcock PJ, Brown TM, Corwin D, Hayes SF, Olszewski A, Todd WJ. Morphology of three strains of contagious equine metritis organism. Infect Immun 1985 Apr;48(1):94-108.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
