The Microbiology lab at the IEC has many years of experience in the analysis of samples from the reproductive tract of mares, both as part of routine pre-breeding screening and in the investigation of uterine infections.
It is recommended that uterine cytology and culture are used together to allow for the most accurate diagnosis of uterine infection. Uterine cytology is used primarily to identify the number and type of inflammatory cells present in the sample and may also indicate if bacteria are present. Bacterial culture is used to identify the cause of infection and the most appropriate antimicrobials for treatment of infection. Small-volume uterine lavage is the preferred sample for uterine cytology and culture as it samples a larger area of the uterus compared to swab samples. It is vital that samples are collected as aseptically as possible to ensure accurate result. This can be achieved by preparing the mare appropriately (bandage tail, wash perineum) and by using a sterile speculum for collection of swab samples.
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a venereal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. This highly contagious disease causes infertility in the mare and is transmitted at breeding. Carrier mares and stallions show no clinical signs of the infection while recently infected mares generally have a purulent vulval discharge. Under the International Code of Practice, horses must be tested for the presence of Taylorella equigenitalis, and for the other venereal pathogens, Klebsiella pneumoniae (capsule types 1, 2 and 5) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in advance of breeding to demonstrate freedom from infection. The number of samples to be taken depends on the risk category of the mare but, at a minimum, swabs of the clitoral fossa, clitoral sinus and endometrium are recommended.
