Pre breeding bacteriology

Question 1

3 main bacterial venereal diseases you look for in breeding

Answer 1

Taylorella (also called Contagious Equine Metritis Organism [CEMO])
Klebsiella
Pseudomonas.

Question 2

Do you see clinical signs in stallions with a bacterial venereal disease

Answer 2

No- but he will transmit it to the mare who will show signs

Question 3

What transport media is used for prior to breeding bacteriology

Answer 3

Charcoal based

Question 4

How long after taking a bacterial swab for a venereal pathogen does it need to get to the lab

Answer 4

within 48hrs

Question 5

Where to swab on stallion

Answer 5

Urethra
Urethral fossa
Sheath
Pre-ejaculatory fluid

Question 6

where to swab on a mare

Answer 6

Clitoral fossa
clitoral sinus
Also uterus in high risk mares

Question 7

Do you need to swab dog/bitchess pre mating

Answer 7

No- there are no bacterial venereal pathogens in the UK

Question 8

2 venereal organisms transmitted in cows

Answer 8

Bovine venereal campylobacteriosis
Trichomonas

Question 9

Bovine veneral cmapylobacteriosis

Answer 9

This causes asymptomatic infection in the bull who acts as a carrier. Breeding of a non-immune cow causes initial vaginitis, and then endometritis. The ability to get pregnant is reduced, and in animals that become pregnant the poor uterine environment often results in pregnancy loss. Immunity will subsequently develop and then cows conceive normally.

Campylobacter is difficult to grow so when samples are taken they are immediately placed into transport media if being sent for culture. PCR can be performed but has variable reliability. There is a poor systemic immune response and so serology does not detect the disease. However IgA may be detected in material flushed from the vagina.

Question 10

Trichomonas

Answer 10

This is a protozoal agent which is an obligate venereal pathogen. It has virtually been eliminated in the UK and only occasional sporadic cases are seen.

The organism causes asymptomatic infection in the bull who acts as a carrier. Breeding of non-immune cows causes a rapid and significant endometritis. The severe endometritis results in the cow often not becoming pregnant, although a small number do but the pregnancy fails early on as the organism persists in the uterus. Immunity does develop such that fertility may return.