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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / Uterine microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility in iso...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2004; 44(3-4); 121-129; doi: 10.1186/1751-0147-44-121

Uterine microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility in isolated bacteria from mares with fertility problems.

Abstract: Uterine microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility was investigated in 239 mares with fertility problems in a prospective study in Sweden. Uterine swab samples were collected with double guarded swabs and transported overnight before being cultured. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) was determined for a panel of antimicrobials. From 152 of the 239 mares at least one bacterial species was isolated, most frequently E. coli (104 isolates), beta-haemolytic streptococci (31) and fungi (16). beta-haemolytic streptococci were more frequently (p < 0.01) associated with clinical endometritis than with repeat breeding. The opposite was true for E. coli (p < 0.01). Among beta-haemolytic streptococcal isolates some resistance was noted for 4 of 11 tested antibiotics, however, all isolates were susceptible to the widely used penicillin G. Among E. coli isolates enrofloxacin was the only of the 10 tested antibiotics for which no resistance was noted. Resistance was most commonly noted to cephalothin (39% of the isolates), streptomycin (22%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (15%) and ampicillin (11%). In conclusion, we show that both E.coli and beta-haemolytic streptococci are frequently associated with fertility problems in mares and that antimicrobial resistance is a common feature of E. coli but also recognised for beta-haemolytic streptococcal uterine isolates.
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Publication Date: 2004-04-13 PubMed ID: 15074625PubMed Central: PMC1831563DOI: 10.1186/1751-0147-44-121Google 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.

This research studied the bacteria found in the uteruses of mares with fertility issues in Sweden, and how these bacteria react to different antibiotics. The study discovered several types of bacteria, with the most common being E. Coli, which seemed to be more resistant to some antibiotics than others.

Research Details

  • The study focused on investigating the presence and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria in the uterus of mares with fertility problems.
  • A total of 239 mares, all of which had fertility issues, were included in this prospective study. They were chosen from a population in Sweden.
  • Swab samples from the mares’ uteruses were collected and transported for cultural examination. These were necessary to understand the type of bacteria present in each mare.
  • The bacterial species was successfully isolated from 152 of the studied mares.

Key Findings

  • The most frequently found bacteria were E.coli (found in 104 samples), beta-haemolytic streptococci (31 samples), and fungi (16 samples).
  • It was found that beta-haemolytic streptococci were more frequently associated with clinical endometritis (inflammation of the lining of the uterus) than with repeat breeding.
  • Conversely, E.coli was more frequently found in mares with repeat breeding problems.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility

  • The study tested the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC), which represents the minimum amount of an antibiotic that can inhibit the growth of a microbe, for a range of antimicrobials against the isolated bacteria.
  • Despite some resistance to four of the eleven tested antibiotics, all beta-haemolytic streptococcal isolates were susceptible to the commonly used antibiotic, penicillin G.
  • Enrofloxacin was the only one of ten tested antibiotics for which no resistance was noted in E.coli isolates.
  • The most common resistance in E.coli isolates was found against cephalothin (39% of the isolates), streptomycin (22%), trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (15%), and ampicillin (11%).

Conclusion

  • The study concludes that both E.coli and beta-haemolytic streptococci are frequently associated with fertility problems in mares. Moreover, antimicrobial resistance is commonly found in E.coli and is also recognized in beta-haemolytic streptococci uterine isolates.

Cite This Article

APA
Albihn A, Båverud V, Magnusson U. (2004). Uterine microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility in isolated bacteria from mares with fertility problems. Acta Vet Scand, 44(3-4), 121-129. https://doi.org/10.1186/1751-0147-44-121

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 0044-605X
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 121-129

Researcher Affiliations

Albihn, A
  • Department of Disease Control and Biosecurity, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden. Ann.Albihn@sva.se
Båverud, V
    Magnusson, U

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Bacteria / drug effects
      • Bacteria / isolation & purification
      • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Infertility, Female / etiology
      • Infertility, Female / veterinary
      • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
      • Sweden
      • Uterine Diseases / complications
      • Uterine Diseases / microbiology
      • Uterine Diseases / veterinary

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