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Contagious equine metritis: antibody response of experimentally infected pony mares
Abstract:
Intrauterine inoculation of pony mares with the bacterium that is the causative agent of contagious equine metritis (CEM) resulted in clinical disease. A humoral immune response could be detected by agglutination and complement fixation (CF), and in some cases precipitating antibody was found by immunodiffusion tests. Agglutinating antibody was the most reliable serological indicator of overt infection and was detected in 8 ot 28 mares after initial intrauterine inoculation of 3-4 x 10(5) bacteria. Seventy percent of mares given a second inoculation and all mares given a third inoculation of 3-4 x 10(5) bacteria produced detectable agglutinating antibody. Only two of five mares given the third inoculation developed detectable complement-fixing antibody. Only one mare showed evidence of reinfection after a second or third intrauterine inoculation. All of the mares given a single intrauterine inoculum of greater than or equal to 8 x 10(8) bacteria produced agglutinating antibody 10 to 30 days postinoculation (DPI) and 86% gave a positive CF test 10 to 20 DPI. Only mares with an agglutination titer of 320 or more produced precipitating antibody. Sera were considered positive in agglutination tests if they were reactive at a dilution of greater than 4 and positive in CF tests if they were reactive at a dilution of 4 or greater.
Insights
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) infection in mares triggers an immune response, with agglutinating antibodies being the most reliable indicator of infection. Higher bacterial doses increase antibody detection rates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Equine Infectious Diseases
- Reproductive Immunology
Background:
- Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is a significant venereal disease affecting horse reproduction.
- Understanding the mare's immune response to CEM is crucial for diagnosis and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the humoral immune response in pony mares following intrauterine inoculation with the CEM bacterium.
- To evaluate the reliability of different serological tests (agglutination, complement fixation, immunodiffusion) in detecting CEM infection.
Main Methods:
- Pony mares were inoculated intrauterine with varying doses of the CEM causative agent.
- Humoral immune responses were assessed using agglutination, complement fixation (CF), and immunodiffusion tests.
- Antibody titers were correlated with bacterial dose and time post-inoculation.
Main Results:
- Agglutinating antibody was the most consistent serological indicator of infection, detected in 8/28 mares after initial low-dose inoculation.
- Repeated inoculations significantly increased the detection rate of agglutinating antibodies.
- Higher bacterial doses (≥ 8 x 10^8) led to rapid and widespread agglutinating antibody production and positive CF tests.
- Precipitating antibodies were only detected in mares with high agglutination titers (≥ 320).
Conclusions:
- Agglutination tests are the most sensitive method for detecting overt CEM infection in mares.
- The dose of bacteria influences the magnitude and speed of the humoral immune response.
- Serological monitoring, particularly using agglutination tests, is vital for managing CEM outbreaks.
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