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Heil BA, van Heule M, Thompson SK, Kearns TA, Beckers KF, Oberhaus EL, King G, Daels P, Dini P, Sones JL. Metagenomic characterization of the equine endometrial microbiome during anestrus. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 140:105134. [PMID: 38909766 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
The equine uterus is highly interrogated during estrus prior to breeding and establishing pregnancy. Many studies in mares have been performed during estrus under the influence of high estrogen concentrations, including the equine estrual microbiome. To date, it is unknown how the uterine microbiome of the mare is influenced by cyclicity; while, the equine vaginal microbiome is stable throughout the estrous cycle. We hypothesized that differences would exist between the equine endometrial microbiome of mares in estrus and anestrus. The aim of this study was two-fold: to characterize the resident endometrial microbiome of healthy mares during anestrus and to compare this with estrus. Double-guarded endometrial swabs were taken from healthy mares during estrus (n = 16) and in the following non-breeding season during anestrus (n = 8). Microbial population was identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. Our results suggest that the equine uterine microbiome in estrus has a low diversity and low richness, while during anestrus, a higher diversity and higher richness were seen compared to estrus. Despite this difference, both the estrus and anestrus endometrial microbiome were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota. The composition of the microbial community between anestrus and estrus was significantly different. This may be explained by the difference in the composition of the endometrial immune milieu based on the stage of the cycle. Further research investigating the function of the equine endometrial microbiome and dynamics changes within the uterine environment is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Heil
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA; Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA
| | - M van Heule
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction (PHR), School of Veterinary Medicine, UCDavis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UGent, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - S K Thompson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - T A Kearns
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - K F Beckers
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - E L Oberhaus
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - G King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - P Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UGent, Merelbeke, 9820, Belgium
| | - P Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction (PHR), School of Veterinary Medicine, UCDavis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - J L Sones
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA; Equine Reproduction Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80521, USA.
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2
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Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:713. [PMID: 39200013 PMCID: PMC11350719 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13080713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
The equine industry holds substantial economic importance not only in the USA but worldwide. The occurrence of various infectious bacterial diseases in horses can lead to severe health issues, economic losses, and restrictions on horse movement and trade. Effective management and control of these diseases are therefore crucial for the growth and sustainability of the equine industry. While antibiotics constitute the primary treatment strategy for any bacterial infections in horses, developing resistance to clinically important antibiotics poses significant challenges to equine health and welfare. The adverse effects of antimicrobial overuse and the escalating threat of resistance underscore the critical importance of antimicrobial stewardship within the equine industry. There is limited information on the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections in horses. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the history and types of antimicrobials used in horses and provide recommendations for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections in horses. This review also highlights the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in horses, emphasizing the public health significance and transmission dynamics between horses and other animals within a One Health framework. By fostering responsible practices and innovative control measures, we can better help the equine industry combat the pressing threat of AMR and thus safeguard equine as well as public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajran Kabir
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
| | - Bibek Lamichhane
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
| | - Tasmia Habib
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
| | - Alexis Adams
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
| | - Nathan M. Slovis
- McGee Medical Center, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, 4250 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, USA;
| | - Mats H. T. Troedsson
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
| | - Yosra A. Helmy
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; (A.K.)
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3
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Silva JA, Castañares M, Mouguelar H, Valenciano JA, Pellegrino MS. Isolation of lactic acid bacteria from the reproductive tract of mares as potentially beneficial strains to prevent equine endometritis. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:1353-1366. [PMID: 38233700 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10295-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Endometritis, the inflammation of the endometrium, is the leading cause of subfertility in mares, and therefore responsible for major economic losses in the horse industry worldwide. It is generally treated with uterine lavages combined with ecbolic agents and local or systemic antibiotics. However, since antibiotic overuse has been associated with antimicrobial resistance in mares with persistent endometritis, new prevention and treatment alternatives are needed. One such alternative could be the use of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from the host. Thanks to their species specificity, resident microbiota may restore ecological equilibrium within the host, and therefore, help prevent infections and improve physiological functions. In the present study, 257 bacterial strains were isolated from 77 healthy mares, and 88.76% (n = 228) of them were phenotypically classified as LAB. Within this group, 65.79% were able to inhibit at least one strain from each of the genera that most commonly cause equine endometritis (Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus spp.). Five strains (RCE11, RCE20, RCE91, RCE99, and RCE167) were selected on the basis of their beneficial properties: ability to autoaggregate and adhere to equine epithelial cells, high inhibition of and co-aggregation with all the bacteria isolated from clinical cases of endometritis evaluated, and negative co-inhibition between one another. All five were finally identified as Enterococcus spp., namely E. faecium (two strains), E. hirae (two strains), and E. gallinarum (one strain). Further studies will assess their safety and biotechnological potential for the design of a multi-strain probiotic formula to prevent equine endometritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Alejandra Silva
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Cs. Ex. Fco-Qcas y Naturales, National University of Río Cuarto, Route 36 Km 601, X5804ZAB, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mariana Castañares
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Cs. Ex. Fco-Qcas y Naturales, National University of Río Cuarto, Route 36 Km 601, X5804ZAB, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Horacio Mouguelar
- Departament of Anatomy, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Route 36 Km 601, X5804ZAB, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Javier Aguilar Valenciano
- Departament of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Río Cuarto, Route 36 Km 601, X5804ZAB, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Matías Santiago Pellegrino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Cs. Ex. Fco-Qcas y Naturales, National University of Río Cuarto, Route 36 Km 601, X5804ZAB, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Köhne M, Hegger A, Tönissen A, Heusinger A, Hader C, Görgens A, Sieme H. Frequency of potentially pathogenic bacterial and fungal isolates among 28,887 endometrial samples from mares, with an emphasis on multi-drug resistant bacteria in Germany (2018-2022). J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 133:105008. [PMID: 38237703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria pose a serious threat to the wellbeing of animals and humans. In equine reproduction, endometritis caused by facultative microbial pathogens is a condition, which is usually treated with antibiotics. Data from Germany on prevalence of facultative pathogenic microorganisms cultured in samples from the equine uterus and the frequency of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is lacking. The aim of the study was to provide representative numbers for both. Microbiological culture results (n = 28,887) of endometrial samples submitted to a large veterinary diagnostic laboratory from 2018-2022 were analyzed. An average of 25.9 % of the culture results showed growth of facultative pathogenic bacteria. The dominant isolated bacteria were β-hemolytic streptococci (79.7 %) followed by Escherichia (E.) coli variatio haemolytica (5.2 %). E. coli were cultured in 4.3 % of the samples and occurred more often than Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.9 %), Candida species (2.9 %), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.0 %), and Staphylococcus aureus (1.5 %). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed sensitivity of β-hemolytic streptococci towards penicillins in almost 100 % of the cultured samples (99.5 %). E. coli-isolates were sensitive to gentamicin in 96.2 % of the cases. The frequency of multidrug-resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was 3.1 % of all positive culture results. The number of ESBL-positive isolates (n = 159) and MRSA was stable from 2018-2022. In conclusion, the situation regarding occurrence of MDR bacteria in Germany is favorable, but should further be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Köhne
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bünteweg 15, Hannover 30559, Germany.
| | - Anna Hegger
- Clinic for Horses Mühlen, Steinfeld, Oldenburg 49349, Germany
| | - Anna Tönissen
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bünteweg 15, Hannover 30559, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Harald Sieme
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Bünteweg 15, Hannover 30559, Germany
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5
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Köhne M, Hegger A, Tönissen A, Hofbauer L, Görgens A, Sieme H. Success of different therapies for bacterial endometritis in stud farm practice. J Equine Vet Sci 2024; 133:105009. [PMID: 38262523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial endometritis is a major problem in equine reproduction usually treated with antibiotics, however reports of success rates are scarce. This study collected data from mares diagnosed with intrauterine bacterial growth and compared the outcome of different therapies for bacterial endometritis in German stud farm practice. Data on mares with positive uterine culture results were collected retrospectively in veterinary practices (n = 5; 2018-2022). Information relating to 30 factors (mare, diagnostics, therapy, pregnancy rate) of bacterial endometritis cases (n = 772) were recorded and analyzed. Possible effects on treatment success (positive pregnancy result in the first cycle after treatment) were tested by binomial logistic regression. In most cases β-hemolytic streptococci were detected (n = 707). Treatments for the endometritis included trimethoprim-sulfonamides (n = 409), procaine-penicillin (n = 227), marbofloxacin (n = 53) or no antibiotics (n = 59) and most antibiotics were administered systemically (n = 711) rather than locally (n = 23). Uterine lavage was reported in 49 % of mares. Uterotonic drugs were administered in 42.2 % of mares. Breeding programs included artificial insemination (AI) with chilled semen (n = 667), AI with frozen semen (n = 169), transfer of fresh (n = 112) or cryopreserved (n = 27) embryos and natural cover (n = 27). In the first cycle after treatment, the pregnancy rate was 47 % and it rose to 69 % by end of the season. Treatment success was affected by duration of antibiotic treatment, veterinary practice, and presence of clinical signs. In conclusion, reported treatment practices in German stud farm practice resulted in acceptable pregnancy results and the multiple binomial logistic regression approach identified factors affecting the pregnancy outcome in this dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Köhne
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
| | - Anna Hegger
- Clinic for Horses Mühlen, 49349 Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany, Germany
| | - Anna Tönissen
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Lisa Hofbauer
- Clinic for Horses Mühlen, 49349 Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany, Germany
| | - Alexandra Görgens
- Clinic for Horses Mühlen, 49349 Steinfeld (Oldenburg), Germany, Germany
| | - Harald Sieme
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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6
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Heil BA, van Heule M, Thompson SK, Kearns TA, Oberhaus EL, King G, Daels P, Dini P, Sones JL. Effect of Sampling Method on Detection of the Equine Uterine Microbiome during Estrus. Vet Sci 2023; 10:644. [PMID: 37999467 PMCID: PMC10675083 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10110644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial endometritis is among the most common causes of subfertility in mares. It has a major economic impact on the equine breeding industry. The sensitivity of detecting uterine microbes using culture-based methods, irrespective of the sample collection method, double-guarded endometrial swab, endometrial biopsy, or uterine low-volume lavage (LVL), is low. Therefore, equine bacterial endometritis often goes undiagnosed. Sixteen individual mares were enrolled, and an endometrial sample was obtained using each method from all mares. After trimming, quality control and decontamination, 3824 amplicon sequence variants were detected in the dataset. We found using 16S rRNA sequencing that the equine uterus harbors a distinct resident microbiome during estrus. All three sampling methods used yielded similar results in composition as well as relative abundance at phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota) and genus (Klebsiella, Mycoplasma, and Aeromonas) levels. A significant difference was found in alpha diversity (Chao1) between LVL and endometrial biopsy, suggesting that LVL is superior at detecting the low-abundant (rare) taxa. These new data could pave the way for innovative treatment methods for endometrial disease and subfertility in mares. This, in turn, could lead to more judicious antimicrobial use in the equine breeding industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. A. Heil
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - M. van Heule
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction (PHR), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA (P.D.)
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
| | - S. K. Thompson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (S.K.T.); (T.A.K.); (G.K.)
| | - T. A. Kearns
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (S.K.T.); (T.A.K.); (G.K.)
| | - E. L. Oberhaus
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - G. King
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (S.K.T.); (T.A.K.); (G.K.)
| | - P. Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium;
| | - P. Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction (PHR), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA (P.D.)
| | - J. L. Sones
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
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Thomson P, García P, del Río C, Castro R, Núñez A, Miranda C. Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Genes in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter Isolates from the Uterus of Healthy Mares. Pathogens 2023; 12:1145. [PMID: 37764953 PMCID: PMC10535638 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are a growing concern for human and animal health. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial resistance and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase genes in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. isolates from the uterus of healthy mares. For this purpose, 21 mares were swabbed for samples, which were later seeded on blood agar and MacConkey agar. The isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF and the antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer technique. To characterize the resistance genes, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) scheme was performed. Of the isolates identified as Gram-negative, 68.8% were Enterobacterales, represented by E. coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter spp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae; 28.1% belonged to the genus Acinetobacter spp.; and 3.1% to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A 9.3% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR), presenting resistance to antibiotics from three different classes, while 18.8% presented resistance to two or more classes of different antibiotics. The diversity of three genes that code for ESBL (blaTEM, blaCTX-M and blaSHV) was detected in 12.5% of the strains. The most frequent was blaSHV, while blaTEM and blaCTX-M were present in Citrobacter spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae. These results are an alarm call for veterinarians and their environment and suggest taking measures to prevent the spread of these microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Thomson
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica y Microbioma, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370134, Chile;
| | - Patricia García
- Departamento de Laboratorios Clínicos, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago 8940000, Chile;
| | - Camila del Río
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Clínica y Microbioma, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Santiago 8370134, Chile;
| | - Rodrigo Castro
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales y Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca 3473620, Chile
| | - Andrea Núñez
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Curicó 3340000, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de las Américas, Santiago 7500975, Chile
| | - Carolina Miranda
- Laboratorio de Microbiología Red de Salud UC-CHRISTUS, Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago 8940000, Chile;
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van Heule M, Monteiro HF, Bazzazan A, Scoggin K, Rolston M, El-Sheikh Ali H, Weimer BC, Ball B, Daels P, Dini P. Characterization of the equine placental microbial population in healthy pregnancies. Theriogenology 2023; 206:60-70. [PMID: 37187056 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In spite of controversy, recent studies present evidence that a microbiome is present in the human placenta. However, there is limited information about a potential equine placental microbiome. In the present study, we characterized the microbial population in the equine placenta (chorioallantois) of healthy prepartum (280 days of gestation, n = 6) and postpartum (immediately after foaling, 351 days of gestation, n = 11) mares, using 16S rDNA sequencing (rDNA-seq). In both groups, the majority of bacteria belonged to the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidota. The five most abundant genera were Bradyrhizobium, an unclassified Pseudonocardiaceae, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, and an unclassified Microbacteriaceae. Alpha diversity (p < 0.05) and beta diversity (p < 0.01) were significantly different between pre- and postpartum samples. Additionally, the abundance of 7 phyla and 55 genera was significantly different between pre- and postpartum samples. These differences suggest an effect of the caudal reproductive tract microbiome on the postpartum placental microbial DNA composition, since the passage of the placenta through the cervix and vagina during normal parturition had a significant influence on the composition of the bacteria found in the placenta when using 16S rDNA-seq. These data support the hypothesis that bacterial DNA is present in healthy equine placentas and opens the possibility for further exploration of the impact of the placental microbiome on fetal development and pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machteld van Heule
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Hugo Fernando Monteiro
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Ali Bazzazan
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Matthew Rolston
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA; Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Bart C Weimer
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Population Health and Reproduction, 100K Pathogen Genome Project, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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9
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Pottier M, Castagnet S, Gravey F, Leduc G, Sévin C, Petry S, Giard JC, Le Hello S, Léon A. Antimicrobial Resistance and Genetic Diversity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Equine and Other Veterinary Samples. Pathogens 2022; 12:64. [PMID: 36678412 PMCID: PMC9867525 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12010064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infections in humans. This bacterium is less represented in veterinary medicine, despite causing difficult-to-treat infections due to its capacity to acquire antimicrobial resistance, produce biofilms, and persist in the environment, along with its limited number of veterinary antibiotic therapies. Here, we explored susceptibility profiles to antibiotics and to didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), a quaternary ammonium widely used as a disinfectant, in 168 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from animals, mainly Equidae. A genomic study was performed on 41 of these strains to determine their serotype, sequence type (ST), relatedness, and resistome. Overall, 7.7% of animal strains were resistant to carbapenems, 10.1% presented a multidrug-resistant (MDR) profile, and 11.3% showed decreased susceptibility (DS) to DDAC. Genomic analyses revealed that the study population was diverse, and 4.9% were ST235, which is considered the most relevant human high-risk clone worldwide. This study found P. aeruginosa populations with carbapenem resistance, multidrug resistance, and DS to DDAC in equine and canine isolates. These strains, which are not susceptible to antibiotics used in veterinary and human medicine, warrant close the setting up of a clone monitoring, based on that already in place in human medicine, in a one-health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marine Pottier
- Research Department, LABÉO, 14053 Caen, France
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Sophie Castagnet
- Research Department, LABÉO, 14053 Caen, France
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - François Gravey
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
- CHU de Caen, Service de Microbiologie, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen, France
| | - Guillaume Leduc
- CHU de Caen, Service de Microbiologie, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen, France
| | - Corinne Sévin
- Anses, Normandy Laboratory for Animal Health, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, 14430 Goustranville, France
| | - Sandrine Petry
- Anses, Normandy Laboratory for Animal Health, Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases Unit, 14430 Goustranville, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Giard
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Simon Le Hello
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
- CHU de Caen, Service de Microbiologie, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen, France
- CHU de Caen, Service d’Hygiène Hospitalière, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14033 Caen, France
| | - Albertine Léon
- Research Department, LABÉO, 14053 Caen, France
- Inserm UMR 1311, Dynamicure, Normandie University, UNICAEN, UNIROUEN, 14000 Caen, France
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