May, Catherine EdithGuthrie, Alan JohnKeys, BronwynJoone, ChristopherMonyai, Mpho S.Schulman, M.L. (Martin)2016-08-012016-05May, CE, Guthrie, AJ, Keys, B, Joone, C, Monyai, M & Schulman, ML 2016, 'Polymerase chain reaction-based national surveillance programme to determine the distribution and prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in South African horses', Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 307-311.0425-164410.1111/evj.124397006535470J-6375-20130000-0001-7729-9918http://hdl.handle.net/2263/56152REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY : The response to the first outbreak of contagious equine metritis in South Africa included pioneering a web-based platform to coordinate key aspects of a national, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based stallion screening programme to determine the distribution and prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in stallions and exposed mares. OBJECTIVES : To define the hypothesised pre-existing status of T. equigenitalis in the South African equine population and progression of the epidemiological investigation via the implementation of a molecular diagnostic-based surveillance programme. STUDY DESIGN : Retrospective case series. METHODS : Screening for T. equigenitalis was via a qPCR assay on genital swabs obtained from predilection sites in stallions and mares with subsequent confirmation using bacterial culture according to prescribed methods.en© 2015 EVJ Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : Polymerase chain reaction-based national surveillance programme to determine the distribution and prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in South African horses, Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 307-311, 2016. doi : 10.1111/evj.12439. The definite version is available at : http://onlinelibrary.wiley.comjournal/10.1001/(ISSN)2042-3306.HorsesFomite transmissionqPCRTaylorella equigenitalisPostprint Article