Evaluation of two topical treatment methods for the elimination of Taylorella equigenitalis in stallions

Abstract

Taylorella equigenitalis, the aetiological agent for contagious equine metritis (CEM) is sensitive to a wide range of antimicrobial drugs in vitro. Current treatments are anectdotal and validated protocols are undefined. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two topical antimicrobial agents and the duration of treatment required to eliminate T. equigenitalis in stallions. The treatment process was strictly monitored with daily quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) sampling and testing of the colonised stallion to determine an effective treatment duration and to note trends in cycle threshold (Ct) values. The study was approved by the University of Pretoria’s Animal Use and Care Committee (V 068/12) according to the South African National Standard (SANS 10386: 2008) for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Twenty three stallions colonised with Taylorella equigenitalis were randomly assigned to either one of two topical treatment categories: 1% silver sulphadiazine (n=11) and 0.2% nitrofurazone (n=12). A standardised treatment protocol consisting of topical cleansing and antimicrobial application was performed. Descriptive statistical analysis of the treatment duration and cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained from qPCR was performed to compare the two antimicrobial agents and to determine trends in the data. This study can provide a validated treatment and monitoring protocol for the topical treatment of CEM in stallions.