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Also known as: '''''Contagious Equine Metritis — CEM'''''

Also known as: '''''Contagious Equine Metritis — CEM'''''

==Description==

==Introduction==

''Taylorella equigenitalis'' is the causal agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM)

''Taylorella equigenitalis'' is the causal agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM). It is found exclusively in the '''genital tracts of stallions, mares and foals''', specifically, in the '''urethral fossa''' of stallions and the '''clitoral fossa''' of mares.

The disease '''disrupts breeding programs''' on thouroughbred stud farms. Currently, the UK is '''free from contagious equine metritis'''.

 

The disease '''disrupts breeding programs''' on thouroughbred stud farms

 

Currently, the UK is '''free from contagious equine metritis'''.

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==

The organism is a short, non-motile Gram-negative rod which is catalase, oxidase and phosphatase postitive.  

The organism is a short, non-motile Gram-negative rod which is catalase, oxidase and phosphatase positive.  

The bacteria is microaerophilic, grows slowly, and is '''fastidious''' as it requires chocolate agar and 5-10% carbon dioxide for growth.

The bacterium is microaerophilic, grows slowly, and is '''fastidious''' as it requires chocolate agar and 5-10% carbon dioxide for growth.

It does not grow on MacConkey.

It does not grow on MacConkey.

==Pathogenesis and pathogenicity==

==Pathogenesis and Pathogenicity==

Transmission occurs '''during coitus or via contaminated instruments'''.

Transmission occurs '''during coitus or via contaminated instruments'''. The seminal fluid of stallions is contaminated with ''T. equigenitalis'' from the urethral fossa, and deposition in the uterus is required for infection to establish. The bacteria replicate in the uterus and cause '''acute endometritis'''. There is initial influx of mononuclear cells and [[Plasma Cells|plasma cells]], followed by [[Neutrophils|neutrophils]], which cause a mucopurulent discharge. The acute endometrial changes only last a few days.

==Clinical Infections==

 

 

 

 

==Clinical infections==

Contagious equine metritis is a '''highly contagious venereal disease of Thorougbred horses'''.

Contagious equine metritis is a '''highly contagious venereal disease of Thorougbred horses'''.

Infected stallions and mares are a '''reservoir of infection''', and stallions and some mares are '''asymptomatic'''.

Infected stallions and mares are a '''reservoir of infection''', and stallions and some mares are '''asymptomatic'''.

Mares experience '''mucopurulent vulval discharge''' and temporary infertility after service with a carrier stallion. Inflammation of the uterus hinders implantation, the discharge may continue for 2 weeks, and mares may remain '''infertile''' for several weeks.

Most mares experience '''mucopurulent vulval discharge''' and temporary infertility after service with a carrier stallion. Inflammation of the uterus hinders implantation, the discharge may continue for 2 weeks, and mares may remain '''infertile''' for several weeks.

Mares may recover without treatment but 25% become carriers and re-infection can occur.

Mares may recover without treatment but 25% become carriers and re-infection can occur.

'''Other diagnostic tests''' include:

'''Other diagnostic tests''' include:

:Slide agglutination test

:Slide agglutination test

:Fluorescent antibody test

:[[FAT|Fluorescent antibody test]]

:Latex agglutination

:Latex agglutination

:PCR

:[[PCR]]

:Serology, but it only detects active infection

:Serology, but it only detects active infection

==Treatment and control==

==Treatment and Control==

The external genitalia, including the clitoral fossa of mares and stallions should be '''washed with 2% chlorhexidine combined with antimicrobials''' such as crystalline penicillin. A '''2% nitrofurazone ointment''' can be packed into the clitoral fossa  

The external genitalia, including the clitoral fossa of mares and stallions should be '''washed with 2% chlorhexidine combined with antimicrobials''' such as crystalline penicillin. A '''2% nitrofurazone ointment''' can be packed into the clitoral fossa.

The uterus of mares should be '''lavaged''' with a penicillin-containing solution daily for 5-7 days.

The uterus of mares should be '''lavaged''' with a penicillin-containing solution daily for 5-7 days.

|flashcards = [[Equine Reproduction and Stud Medicine Q&A 14]]

|flashcards = [[Equine Reproduction and Stud Medicine Q&A 14]]

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[[Category:Bacteria miscellaneous]][[Category:Gram_negative_bacteria]][[Category:Rods]][[Category:Horse Bacteria]]

[[Category:Bacteria miscellaneous]][[Category:Gram_negative_bacteria]][[Category:Rods]][[Category:Horse Bacteria]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]]

[[Category:Reproductive Diseases - Horse]]

[[Category:Expert Review - Horse]]