Contagious equine metritis: a review.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Reproduction
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a highly contagious venereal genital infection affecting mares, first identified in 1977.
• The disease causes endometritis and infertility in mares, with infected animals showing no systemic signs. Stallions remain clinically unaffected.
• CEM has been reported globally and is designated a reportable disease in Canada, impacting various horse breeds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the characteristics of contagious equine metritis.
• To outline diagnostic methods, including sample collection and laboratory procedures.
• To discuss treatment efficacy and the persistence of asymptomatic carrier states.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and case reports on contagious equine metritis.
• Description of clinical signs, transmission, and affected populations.
• Summary of diagnostic approaches and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Contagious equine metritis is characterized by endometritis and infertility in mares, with asymptomatic carriers identified in both sexes.
• While mares respond to antibacterial treatments, a portion may remain carriers.
• Stallion treatment is generally successful, and the causative agent is proposed as *Haemophilus equigenitalis*.

Conclusions:

• Contagious equine metritis is a significant reproductive disease in horses requiring careful management and diagnosis.
• Asymptomatic carriers pose a challenge to disease control efforts.
• Accurate diagnostic methods and effective treatment strategies are crucial for managing CEM outbreaks.