Survival of contagious equine metritis organisms (CEMO) in different transport media as influenced by storage time, temperature and contaminating flora.

This research focuses on the survival of contagious equine metritis organisms (CEMO) in different types of transport media, considering factors such as storage time, temperature and contaminating flora. The research determined that both Amies’ media with 0.6% and 1.0% agar are suitable for the transport of CEMO, while the modified Stuart’s medium and Amies’ medium with 0.4% agar were found unsuitable.

Testing Transport Media

• The researchers conducted their experiments using a contagious equine metritis organism (CEMO), a bacteria that causes a sexually transmitted disease in horses. The goal was to determine which transport media was best at preserving these bacteria during transport.
• A “transport medium” is a substance used to preserve bacteria or other microorganisms during transport from one location to another. It’s essential that the transport medium not only keeps the bacteria alive but prevents it from multiplying.
• The researchers tested a modified Stuart’s medium and different versions of a modified Amies’ medium. The Amies’ medium was modified by adding three different levels of agar (0.4%, 0.6%, and 1.0%).

Outcome of the Experiment

• The researchers discovered that the modified Stuart’s medium was not suitable for the transport of the contagious equine metritis organism. This means that this particular medium did not keep the bacteria alive and/or stop it from multiplying to harmful numbers during transport.
• Meanwhile, the Amies’ medium with 0.6% agar or 1.0% agar was found to be equally effective as transport media. These mediums were able to maintain the CEMO, making them suitable candidates for transporting this type of bacteria.
• In contrast, the Amies’ medium with 0.4% agar liquified when transported and thus was not effective. A liquified transport medium can lead to a rapid loss of bacterial viability, making it an unsuitable choice for CEMO transportation.

Implications of the Findings

• The findings of this research have significant implications for the veterinary community. Knowing which transport media can effectively preserve the contagious equine metritis organism can help guide laboratories and researchers in their work on this disease.
• Choosing the right transport medium is essential as it directly influences the outcome of any microbial analysis. As such, having reliable transport mediums can contribute significantly to the accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and eventual control of equine metritis.