Reproductive Pathogens Flashcards
How can commensals control pathogens?
they compete with them for places to live and they may also prime the immune system against pathogens
In which female reproductive structures can commensal organisms be found (most to least)?
Perineum
Vulva
Clitoris
Vestibule
Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
What are the barriers to entrance of organisms in the female reproductive tract?
Vulva
Vestibulo-vaginal junction
Cervix
In which male reproductive tract structures can commensal organisms be found (most to least)?
Preputial skin
Preputial lining
Penis
Urethra
Accessory glands (rare)
Not in vas deferens or testes
Why does the innate immunity of the female reproductive tract need to be more advanced than males?
Immunity maintains the balance of commensal bacteria, pathogens and any introduced bacteria, allogenic sperm, and the immunologically distinct fetus
What is the term for infection of the following tissues:
Preputial skin
Preputial lining
Penis
Urethra
Prostate
Testis
Preputial skin -> Dermatitis
Preputial lining -> Posthitis
Penis -> Balanitis
Urethra -> Urethritis
Prostate -> Prostatitis
Testis -> Orchitis
What is the term for infection of the following tissues:
perineum
Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
Placenta
Uterine tube
Ovary
Perineum -> Dermatitis / Vulvitis
Vagina -> Vaginitis / Vestibulitis
Cervix -> Cervicitis
Uterus -> Endometritis/metritis/pyometra
Placenta -> Placentitis / infection of the fetus
Uterine tube -> Salpingitis (rare)
Ovary -> Oophoritis (rare)
What further risk is presented if dermatitis, vulvitis, vaginitis, vestibulitis or cervicitis is present in pregnant animals?
Neonate can become infected during birth during passage through birth canal
How can reproductive pathogens be transmitted?
Via semen or vaginal secretion = Venereal Pathogen
Via other routes (e.g. respiratory tract) = Non Venereal
When is uterine contamination with commensals or pathogens more common?
Common post-partum in all species as cervix is open
Common post-mating ONLY in mare, sow, bitch (as cervix has no mucus plug and ejaculation occurs directly into the uterus)
Describe uterine contamination post-partum
Most commonly these are commensal organisms (as associated damage to endometrium is present as placenta detaches)
As deeper layers of the uterus are exposed the commensal organisms can penetrate to the myometrium = Metritis
Describe uterine contamination at mating
Commensal bacteria enter the uterus of the mare, sow, bitch at the time of mating (or sometimes without mating)
Bacteria are rapidly cleared by immune response and uterine contractions
Abnormal uterus or poor uterus response => endometritis
Describe uterine contamination at mating with a pathogenic bacteria, give examples.
Pathogenic bacteria can invade without the need for abnormal uterus or poor uterine response => endometritis or metritis
Most cases will not lead to pregnancy but rarely the infection is controlled and pregnancy may occur - this often results in pregnancy loss due to bacterial growth in pregnancy
Mare: Taylorella causes endometritis
Cow: bovine venereal campylobacteriosis causes endometritis
Describe the features of herpes viruses as a respiratory tract disease
Many are transmitted by aerosol and replicate in the respiratory tract so there is commonly resp. tract disease
Viruses spread to other organs and may lie dormant (a latent infection)
How can respiratory tract disease due to herpes viruses causes pregnancy loss?
If the female is pregnant the virus may invade the placenta and cause resorption or abortion
If the female becomes pregnant the ‘stress’ of pregnancy may allow viral recrudescence and the activated virus invades the placenta resulting in pregnancy loss
Describe the features of herpes viruses that cause reproductive tract disease
Many are transmitted venereally and cause local vesicular disease and not pregnancy loss
Some may not be solely localised in the reproductive tract and have the potential to spread via the resp. tract or to causes systemic infection
Describe the routine screening for repro pathogens of stallions
penile swabs etc for bacterial venereal pathogens (Taylorella, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
Equine viral arteriitis (EVA) serology (to show negative status and then vaccination)
Describe the routine screening for repro pathogens of mares
clitoral swabs for bacterial venereal pathogens (Taylorella, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas)
EVA serology (Equine viral arteriitis)
Describe the routine screening for reproductive pathogens in dogs
None
CaHV1 vaccination in pregnancy
Describe the routine screening for reproductive pathogens in cats
FeLV and FIV serology
Describe the routine screening for reproductive pathogens in bulls
when purchasing non-virgin screen for Campylobacter and rarely Trichomonas (sheath washings for culture)
Brucella surveillance
Describe the routine screening for repro pathogens in cows
Brucella surveillance (regular bulk milk testing)
Routine serology for diseases that affect reproduction (BVD, IBR, Lepto)
Describe the routine screening for repro pathogens in sheep
empty or aborted ewes screened for Toxoplasma and EAE by serology
Brucella melitensis samples performed by DEFRA on random flocks
Describe the routine screening for repro pathogens in pigs
serology for Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome/PRRS (done weekly in semen production centres), Aujzeskys, Brucella and Classical Swine Fever
