Campylobacter fetus subspecies venerealis

Campylobacter fetus, has the subspecies fetus and venerealis, belonging to the genus Campylobacter. Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis causes venereal infection in cattle and infertility in female cattle. The bacteria is found in glandular crypts of prepuce of bull with no clinical signs. Bulls are therefore known as carriers. It causes catarrhal inflammation in the female genital tract. Endometritis prevents implantation until infection cleared and causes early embryonic death, occasionally sporadic abortion

• May remain infertile for 3-5 months before immunity develops, which lasts 4-5 years
• Effective immunity includes induction of IgA in the vagina and IgG in the uterus
• Bacteria may persist in the vagina and be transmitted to bulls
• Diagnosis:
  • Fluorescent antibody test on genital discharges from bull/cow
  • Vaginal mucus agglutination test
  • ELISA to IgA antibodies in vaginal mucus after an abortion
  • PCR for detection in semen
• Treatment: dihydrostreptomycin intrauterine for cows and systemically or topically for bulls
• Vaccination: bacterin in oil adjuvant