Frequency of potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal isolates among 28,887 endometrial samples from mares, with an emphasis on multi-drug resistant bacteria in Germany (2018-2022).
Authors: Köhne Martin, Hegger Anna, Tönissen Anna, Heusinger Anton, Hader Corinna, Görgens Alexandra, Sieme Harald
Journal: Journal of equine veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Endometrial Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in German Mares Between 2018 and 2022, researchers at a major German veterinary diagnostic laboratory analysed nearly 29,000 endometrial culture results to establish the prevalence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in mares with suspected endometritis. Approximately one quarter (25.9%) of samples yielded growth of facultative pathogens, with β-hemolytic streptococci overwhelmingly dominant at 79.7%, followed by *Escherichia coli* variatio haemolytica (5.2%), *E. coli* (4.3%), *Klebsiella pneumoniae* (3.9%), *Candida* species (2.9%), *Pseudomonas aeruginosa* (2.0%), and *Staphylococcus aureus* (1.5%). Reassuringly, β-hemolytic streptococci demonstrated near-universal sensitivity to penicillins (99.5%) and *E. coli* isolates to gentamicin (96.2%), whilst the combined prevalence of ESBL-producing Gram-negatives and MRSA remained low at 3.1% of positive cultures with no upward trend across the five-year period. For equine practitioners, these findings suggest that conventional antimicrobial therapy remains appropriate for routine endometritis management in Germany, though continued surveillance remains warranted to detect emerging resistance patterns early.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Endometritis in German mares remains highly responsive to traditional antibiotics, particularly penicillins for streptococci and gentamicin for E. coli, supporting current treatment protocols
- •Multi-drug resistant bacteria are relatively uncommon (3.1% of infections), suggesting routine culture and sensitivity testing may help optimize antibiotic selection without widespread MDR concerns
- •Continued surveillance of antibiotic resistance patterns is warranted to maintain the currently favorable situation and guide prudent antimicrobial stewardship in equine reproduction
Key Findings
- •25.9% of endometrial samples showed growth of facultative pathogenic bacteria, with β-hemolytic streptococci dominant at 79.7%
- •E. coli was cultured in 4.3% of samples, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.9%), Candida species (2.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.0%), and Staphylococcus aureus (1.5%)
- •β-hemolytic streptococci showed 99.5% sensitivity to penicillins and E. coli showed 96.2% sensitivity to gentamicin
- •Multi-drug resistant bacteria (ESBL-positive and MRSA) comprised 3.1% of positive culture results and remained stable from 2018-2022 in Germany