Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
11:09
Multiplex Detection of Bacteria in Complex Clinical and Environmental Samples using Oligonucleotide-coupled Fluorescent Microspheres
Published on: October 23, 2011
16.1K
Characteristics of the Mare-Uterine-Culture-Based Bacterial Composition Using Practical Clinical Evaluation Methods.
Inês B Carvalho1,2, Sandra Branco1,3, Marta Laranjo1,3
1MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, 7000 Évora, Portugal.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 7, 2025
Summary
Mare uterine health is crucial for breeding success. This study characterized mare uterine microbiota, finding common bacteria and significant antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the need for targeted therapy.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Uterine health is critical for broodmare fertility and breeding program success, particularly in breeds like the Lusitano.
- Understanding the mare's uterine microbiota is essential for effective reproductive management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the uterine microbiota of mares using practical clinical evaluation methods.
- To assess the prevalence of inflammation and microbial infections in broodmares.
- To determine antimicrobial susceptibility patterns for targeted therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination including transrectal palpation and ultrasonography.
- Sample collection via uterine lavage, biopsy, or swab.
- Analysis of cytology, histology, microbiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Main Results:
- Inflammation was detected in 42.2% of mares; positive microbial cultures were found in 65.4%.
- The most common isolates were *Escherichia coli* and *Streptococcus* spp.
- Gentamicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and enrofloxacin showed the highest efficacy, while resistance was noted for doxycycline, penicillin, and ceftiofur.
Conclusions:
- The estrous cycle phase significantly influences uterine inflammation.
- Microbiological findings correlate with culture methods, emphasizing diagnostic accuracy.
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates routine microbiology and susceptibility testing for effective antimicrobial stewardship in equine reproduction.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Methods of Classification and Identification
Bacterial identification relies on a diverse array of techniques to classify and understand microorganisms, each tailored to uncover specific characteristics. Traditional morphological approaches, while still valuable, are limited for closely related or structurally simple organisms. Modern methods integrate biochemical, serological, genetic, and advanced molecular tools to achieve greater accuracy.Morphological and Biochemical TechniquesMorphological characteristics, such as cell shape and...
01:30Methods to Assess Microbial Populations
Assessing microbial populations is crucial for understanding microbial roles in health, ecology, and industry. Various complementary techniques—both culture-based and molecular—enable detailed analysis of microbial abundance, diversity, and function.Viable Plate CountThe viable plate count is a traditional culture-based method used to estimate the number of living microbes in a sample. After serial dilution, the sample is spread onto nutrient agar plates. Each viable cell forms a visible...
01:22Introduction to the Human Microbiota
Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...