Microbial profile of post-breeding endometritis in Arabian mares from the Al-Hira District, Iraq.

BACKGROUND

Postbreeding endometritis in Arabian mares poses a significant reproductive challenge, necessitating proper pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility determination.

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of intrauterine pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Arabian mares with postbreeding endometritis.

METHODS

Seventeen Arabian mares were examined clinically and ultrasonographically. Uterine swabs were collected for bacterial isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

RESULTS

Clinical endometritis was detected in 29.4% of the mares. Ultrasonographic examination revealed varying degrees of uterine wall thickness: slight (58.82%), moderate (11.76%), and severe (29.41%). Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen (76.47%), followed by Streptococcus spp. (11.76%), with mixed infections occurring in 11.76% of cases. Both pathogens exhibited high resistance to several antimicrobials but significant susceptibility to β-lactam antibiotics and selected fluoroquinolones.

CONCLUSION

Escherichia coli was the primary pathogen associated with postbreeding endometritis in Arabian mares. The high antimicrobial resistance patterns observed emphasize the importance of culture-based treatment selection. β-lactam antibiotics showed promising efficacy against both isolated pathogens.