Clinical and microbiological evaluation of a phytotherapeutic intrauterine therapy in mares with bacterial endometritis: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND

Endometritis is a major cause of subfertility in mares and an important source of economic loss in the equine industry. Growing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance have stimulated interest in alternative therapies.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a phytotherapeutic intrauterine treatment in mares with endometritis and its in vitro antimicrobial activity against uterine isolates.

METHODS

Twenty mares with bacterial endometritis based on uterine culture, cytology, and ultrasonography were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 10). Control mares received uterine lavage followed by intrauterine infusion of lactated Ringer's solution, whereas treated mares received lavage followed by infusion of a phytotherapeutic solution. Clinical response was evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 h, and 10 days post-treatment using bacteriological culture, endometrial cytology, and ultrasonography. Treatment response was defined as negative uterine culture associated with negative endometrial cytology (<2 PMNs/field).

RESULTS

No differences were observed between groups (P > 0.05) for bacterial clearance, cytological improvement, or treatment response. On Day 10, persistent bacterial growth was detected in 50% of control mares and 60% of treated mares. The most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Streptococcus β-hemolyticus, and Staphylococcus spp. All isolates were classified as susceptible to gentamicin in vitro, whereas the phytotherapeutic solution showed no detectable antimicrobial activity.

LIMITATIONS: The small sample size and absence of an antimicrobial-treated comparison group may limit interpretation of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Under the conditions of this preliminary study, the phytotherapeutic intrauterine treatment did not improve clinical or microbiological outcomes compared with uterine lavage alone.