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Veterinary research2013; 44(1); 26; doi: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-26

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates from equine infectious endometritis belong to a distinct genetic group.

Abstract: Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus is the pathogen most commonly isolated from the uterus of mares. S. zooepidemicus is an opportunistic pathogen and part of the resident flora in the caudal reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a genotypically distinct subpopulation of S. zooepidemicus is associated with endometritis in the mare, by genotyping and comparing uterine S. zooepidemicus strains with isolates from the vagina and clitoral fossa. Mares with (n=18) or without (n=11) clinical symptoms of endometritis were included. Uterine samples were obtained using a guarded endometrial biopsy punch, whereas a swab was used to recover samples from the cranial vagina and the clitoral fossa. If S. zooepidemicus was present, up to three colonies were selected from each anatomical location (max. 9 isolates per mare). Bacterial isolates were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). S. zooepidemicus was isolated from the endometrium of 12 mares. A total of 88 isolates were analyzed by PFGE: 31 from the endometrium, 26 from the cranial vagina and 31 isolates from the clitoral fossa. For MLST 21 isolates were chosen. Results demonstrated a higher genetic similarity of the isolates obtained from infectious endometritis compared to isolates obtained from the caudal reproductive tract. In conclusion, we demonstrate for the first time that a genetically distinct group of S. zooepidemicus is associated with infectious endometritis in the mare.
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Publication Date: 2013-04-18 PubMed ID: 23597033PubMed Central: PMC3640914DOI: 10.1186/1297-9716-44-26Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This research aimed to find out if there is a certain genetically distinct group of the Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus bacteria that is associated with causing endometritis (an infection of the uterus) in mares. The study found that there is indeed a specific distinct genetic group of this bacteria responsible for the infection.

Methodology

  • The researchers studied the S. zooepidemicus bacterium, which is most commonly found in the uterus of mares, and is known to cause diseases opportunistically.
  • The study included mares who had showed clinical symptoms of endometritis (n=18) and those who had not (n=11).
  • Samples were collected from both the endometrium using a guarded biopsy punch, and the cranial vagina and clitoral fossa using a swab.
  • If S. zooepidemicus was present in the samples, up to three bacterial colonies were selected for analysis.

Analysis

  • A total of 88 bacterial isolates were analyzed using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST). These techniques help in understanding the genetic makeup of the bacteria.
  • S. zooepidemicus was found in the endometrium of 12 mares.
  • The samples included 31 from the endometrium, 26 from the cranial vagina and 31 isolates from the clitoral fossa.
  • For the MLST analysis, the researchers selected 21 isolates.

Results and Conclusion

  • The study found that the isolates obtained from infectious endometritis showed a higher genetic similarity with each other than with isolates obtained from the reproductive tract.
  • This led them to conclude for the first time that a genetically distinct group of S. zooepidemicus is associated with infectious endometritis in mares.
  • The findings of this study can be beneficial in understanding the cause of endometritis in mares and potentially furthering research into prevention or treatment strategies targeting this distinct group of bacteria.

Cite This Article

APA
Rasmussen CD, Haugaard MM, Petersen MR, Nielsen JM, Pedersen HG, Bojesen AM. (2013). Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus isolates from equine infectious endometritis belong to a distinct genetic group. Vet Res, 44(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.1186/1297-9716-44-26

Publication

Veterinary research
ISSN: 1297-9716
NlmUniqueID: 9309551
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 1
Pages: 26

Researcher Affiliations

Rasmussen, Camilla Dooleweerdt
  • Department of Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigboejlen 4, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark. miki@sund.ku.dk.
Haugaard, Maria Mathilde
    Petersen, Morten Roenn
      Nielsen, Jesper Møller
        Pedersen, Hanne Gervi
          Bojesen, Anders Miki

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
            • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
            • Clitoris / microbiology
            • Colony Count, Microbial / veterinary
            • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field / veterinary
            • Endometritis / microbiology
            • Endometritis / veterinary
            • Female
            • Genotype
            • Horse Diseases / microbiology
            • Horses
            • Multilocus Sequence Typing / veterinary
            • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
            • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
            • Streptococcus equi / classification
            • Streptococcus equi / genetics
            • Streptococcus equi / isolation & purification
            • Uterus / microbiology
            • Vagina / microbiology

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            This article has been cited 16 times.
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