{"id":4602,"date":"2020-02-14T15:40:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T14:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.laboklin.com\/int\/en\/?p=4602"},"modified":"2025-07-29T10:59:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T08:59:37","slug":"bacteriological_exam_testing_hygiene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/laboklin.com\/en\/bacteriological_exam_testing_hygiene\/","title":{"rendered":"The bacteriological examination \u2013 an important component of testing the breeding hygiene of mares"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]During the breeding season, the breeding suitability of all mares intended for breeding must be assessed. In addition to the gynaecological examination, this also includes a microbiological examination of cervical or endometrial swabs.<\/p>\n

It is recommended \u2013 as demanded by most stallion owners anyway \u2013 to also examine mares that are not suspicious, because even mares without any clinical signs can be infected with pathogenic agents.<\/p>\n

It is absolutely necessary to perform a bacteriological examination of swab samples from mares with clinical signs, for example if they had a stillbirth or if they come up barren after being bred, if they show abnormalities in the clinical examination or if they had difficulty foaling last time or if they have had repeat breeding more than once in the current breeding season.<\/p>\n

It is recommended to start testing the breeding hygiene early, before the start of the breeding season. This way, it is possible to also get infected animals into good condition for breeding without losing valuable time. If the result of a swab test is positive, treatment should be carried out before covering. Treatment success can be verified by a second bacteriological examination at the earliest 10 days after the end of the treatment. If the follow-up examination and the clinical picture show no signs, the next oestrus can be used for covering. With good breeding management and under ideal circumstances, all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures will be completed before the breeding season starts.<\/p>\n

What needs to be considered when taking the sample:<\/h2>\n

Before taking the swab, always exclude a pregnancy! The ideal time is during oestrus when the cervix is open.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sample collection should be carried out using a speculum and swab collection systems in which the swab is protected from contamination by two plastic covers. This prevents contamination of the swab with pathogens from the external genital area.<\/span><\/p>\n

A clean sampling technique is essential for obtaining interpretable results!<\/span><\/p>\n

After sample collection, the swab should be immediately transferred to a transport medium.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrival at the laboratory:<\/h2>\n

For bacteriological culture, the swab is spread on a blood agar plate as universal culture medium and on a selective medium for gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the swab is placed in a liquid enrichment medium. The culture media are incubated at 36 \u00b0C and evaluated after about 24 h. If no growth is visible yet, the plates are examined again after another 24 h. The enrichment medium that was incubated overnight is spread on agar plates as well, which are also evaluated after an incubation period of 24 h. Thanks to the enrichment process, it is also possible to detect sensitive or previously damaged bacteria.<\/p>\n

Pathogen differentiation is based on culture morphology, biochemical methods and MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption\/ ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry). If pathogens are found that are relevant to breeding hygiene, an antibiogram is performed using the microdilution method. If other bacteria are present, they will be listed in the findings \u2013 however, a resistance test is not automatically carried out. Yet, even pathogens classified as apathogenic in breeding hygiene, e.g. some Enterobacteriaceae, can play a role in mares with clinical signs. In these cases, it is important to state the existing disease\/ symptoms on the submission form and to select a bacteriological examination if an antibiogram is needed in any case.<\/p>\n

Usually, the bacteriological examination takes 2 \u2013 3 days including the antibiogram.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t