Staphylococcus-associated abortions in ewes with long-term central venous catheterization

Forty-two ewes had an intravenous catheter sewn in place in a prepared area over the jugular vein and beginning at 60 days of gestation received an infusion 3 times daily. The infusion consisted of sterile saline or sterile saline containing arginine. Twenty-six ewes in both control and treatment groups aborted between 81 days of gestation and term. Fetuses from 16 ewes that aborted were examined. Most were autolyzed or had early mummification. Macroscopic placentitis and noncollapsing lungs were noted. Large numbers of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus were isolated from fetal abomasal content, lungs, brains, or placentas. Histologically, suppurative placentitis with necrosis and pulmonary aspiration of meconium and amniotic debris often with suppurative bronchopneumonia were observed in abortuses. Four ewes euthanized and examined after abortion had suppurative endometritis. Three ewes had severe, chronic, jugular thrombophlebitis from which coagulase-positive Staphylococcus was isolated. The fourth ewe had mild phlebitis, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from both the catheter and the blood. Catheter-associated staphylococcal abortion was diagnosed.