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Verstraete MH, Dini P, Orellana D, Uribe-Salazar JM, Veras MM, Carneiro F, Daels P, Fernandes CB. Placental homogeneity: Characterizing transcriptional variation among equine chorioallantoic locations. Theriogenology 2024; 229:75-82. [PMID: 39167835 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 08/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The proper function of the placenta is essential for the health and growth of the fetus and the mother. The placenta relies on dynamic gene expression for its correct and timely development and function. Although numerous studies have identified genes vital for placental functions, equine placental molecular research has primarily focused on single placental locations, in sharp contrast with the broader approach in human studies. Here, we hypothesized that the molecular differences across different regions of the equine placenta are negligible because of its diffuse placental type with a macroscopic homogenous distribution of villi across the placental surface. We compared the transcriptome and stereological findings of the body, pregnant horn, and non-pregnant horn within the equine chorioallantois. Our transcriptomic analysis indicates that the variation between regions of the placenta within individuals is less than the variation observed between individuals. A low number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (n = 8) was identified when comparing pregnant and non-pregnant horns within the same placenta, suggesting a remarkable molecular uniformity. A higher number of DEGs was identified when comparing each horn to the body (193 DEGs comparing pregnant horn with body and 207 DEGs comparing non-pregnant horn with body). Genes with a higher expression in the body were associated with processes such as extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling, which is relevant for placental maturation and placenta-endometrial separation at term and implies asynchrony of these processes across locations. The stereological analysis showed no differences in microcotyledonary density, and width between the locations. However, we observed a greater chorioallantoic thickness in the body and pregnant horn compared to the non-pregnant horn. Overall, our findings reveal a uniform transcriptomic profile across the placental horns, alongside a more distinct gene expression pattern between the uterine body and horns. These regional differences in gene expression suggest a different pace in the placental maturation and detachment among the placental locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo H Verstraete
- 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, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Daniela Orellana
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | | | - Mariana M Veras
- Laboratory of environmental and experimental pathology, School of medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francieli Carneiro
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Claudia B Fernandes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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van Heule M, El-Sheikh Ali H, Monteiro HF, Scoggin K, Fedorka C, Weimer BC, Ball B, Daels P, Dini P. Characterization of the equine placental microbial population during nocardioform placentitis. Theriogenology 2024; 225:172-179. [PMID: 38810343 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Nocardioform placentitis is a poorly understood disease of equine late gestation. The presence of nocardioform, filamentous branching gram-positive bacteria, has been linked to the disease, with Crossiella equi, Amycolatopsis spp., and Streptomyces spp. being the most frequently identified bacteria. However, these bacteria are not found in all clinical cases in addition to being isolated from healthy, normal postpartum placentas. To better understand this form of placentitis, we analyzed the microbial composition in the equine placenta (chorioallantois) of both healthy postpartum (control; n = 11) and nocardioform-affected samples (n = 22) using 16S rDNA sequencing. We found a lower Shannon index in nocardioform samples, a higher Chao1 index in nocardioform samples, and a difference in beta diversity between control and nocardioform samples (p < 0.05), suggesting the presence of dysbiosis during the disease. In the majority of the NP samples (77 %), one of the following genera-Amycolatopsis, Crossiella, Lentzea, an unidentified member of the Pseudonocardiaceae family, Mycobacterium, or Enterococcus -represented over 70 % of the relative abundance. Overall, the data suggest that a broader spectrum of potential opportunistic pathogens could be involved in nocardioform placentitis, extending beyond the traditionally recognized bacteria, resulting in a similar histomorphological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machteld van Heule
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA; Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, 9800, Belgium
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
| | - Hugo Fernando Monteiro
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
| | - Carleigh Fedorka
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
| | - Bart C Weimer
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40503, USA
| | - Peter Daels
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, 9800, Belgium
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
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Morales-Vázquez MM, Meza-Serrano E, Lara-Pereyra I, Acuña-González RJ, Alonso-Morales R, Hayen-Valles S, Boeta AM, Zarco L, Lozano-Cuenca J, López-Canales JS, Flores-Herrera H. Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1β and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Vet Sci 2023; 10:532. [PMID: 37756054 PMCID: PMC10536981 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090532] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine placentitis is characterized by infection and inflammation of the placenta. Different biomarkers associated with this inflammatory response have been evaluated in experimentally induced equine placentitis, but not in pregnant mares with spontaneous placentitis. The aim of the current study was to determine the concentration of eIL-1β and the activity of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in the serum of healthy mares and mares with placentitis on days 240 and 320 of gestation to explore whether these biomarkers are associated with equine maternal placentitis and/or with the birth of an infected or inviable foals. Serum samples were collected from sixteen pregnant English Thoroughbred mares, retrospectively classified as follows: (1) healthy mares with full-term gestation; and (2) mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis. The health of each foal was examined at birth, and it was decided to classify the cases into four groups: (1) healthy mares delivering a healthy foals (HM-HF, n = 6); (2) mares with USP delivering a healthy foal (USP-HF, n = 3); (3) mares with USP delivering a live septic foal (USP-LSeF, n = 4); and (4) mares with USP delivering a dead foal (USP-DF, n = 3). eIL-1β was quantified by ELISA, and proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity by gelatin zymography electrophoresis. In healthy mares, the serum concentrations of eIL-1β underwent a significant 16.5-fold increase from day 240 to day 320 of gestation. Although similar results were found in the mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis that delivered a healthy foal, those delivering a live septic or nonviable foal exhibited much higher concentrations of eIL-1β. proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was not associated with maternal placentitis, foal infection, or death. Hence, the presence of placentitis severe enough to affect the health of the foal can be confirmed or discarded by determining the eIL-1β concentration in mares that have shown ultrasonographic signs of placentitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Margarita Morales-Vázquez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Europa Meza-Serrano
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Irlando Lara-Pereyra
- Departamento de Ginecología, Hospital General de Zona 252, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Atlacomulco 28984, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Josué Acuña-González
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
| | - Rogelio Alonso-Morales
- Genética, Laboratorio de Biotecnologías, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico;
| | - Sergio Hayen-Valles
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Ana Myriam Boeta
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Luis Zarco
- Centro de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión en Producción Ovina, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tres Marías, Ciudad de México 62515, Mexico;
| | - Jair Lozano-Cuenca
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (J.L.-C.); (J.S.L.-C.)
| | - Jorge Skiold López-Canales
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (J.L.-C.); (J.S.L.-C.)
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Héctor Flores-Herrera
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
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Ali HES, Scoggin K, Murase H, Norris J, Menarim B, Dini P, Ball B. Transcriptomic and histochemical analysis reveal the complex regulatory networks in equine Chorioallantois during spontaneous term labor. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1296-1310. [PMID: 35913756 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The equine chorioallantois (CA) undergoes complex physical and biochemical changes during labor. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling these changes are still unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to characterize the transcriptome of equine CA during spontaneous labor and compare it to that of normal preterm CA. Placental samples were collected postpartum from mares with normal term labor (TL group, n = 4) and from preterm not in labor mares (330 days GA; PTNL group, n = 4). Our study identified 4137 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1820 upregulated and 2317 downregulated) in CA during TL as compared to PTNL. TL was associated with the upregulation of several pro-inflammatory mediators (MHC-I, MHC-II, NLRP3, CXCL8, and MIF). Also, TL was associated with the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9) with subsequent extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, as reflected by upregulation of several apoptosis-related genes (ATF3, ATF4, FAS, FOS, and BIRC3). In addition, TL was associated with downregulation of 21 transcripts coding for collagens. The upregulation of proteases, along with the downregulation of collagens, is believed to be implicated in separation and rupture of the CA during TL. Additionally, TL was associated with downregulation of transcripts coding for proteins essential for progestin synthesis (SRD5A1 and AKR1C1) and angiogenesis (VEGFA and RTL1), as well as upregulation of prostaglandin synthesis-related genes (PTGS2 and PTGES), which could reflect the physiological switch in placental endocrinology and function during TL. In conclusion, our findings revealed the equine CA gene expression signature in spontaneous labor at term, which improves our understanding of the molecular mechanisms triggering labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.,Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Harutaka Murase
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan
| | - Jamie Norris
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Bruno Menarim
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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5
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Nocardioform placentitis in a sample population of mares foaling in southeastern Pennsylvania and northeastern Maryland in 2020. Theriogenology 2022; 192:52-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Research on the Mechanism of Asperosaponin VI for Treating Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion by Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:8099853. [PMID: 35783512 PMCID: PMC9246589 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8099853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Asperosaponin VI (AS6), as the quality marker of Dipsaci Radix, is verified to exert therapeutic effect on alleviating recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). However, due to the lack of relevant research, its molecular mechanism is still unclear. We retrieved targets for AS6 and RSA, and then used their overlapped targets for PPI analysis. In addition, we used GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, and molecular docking to investigate the anti-RSA mechanisms of AS6. Furthermore, we conducted in vitro experiments to validate the predictions of network pharmacology. Results showed that a total of 103 AS6-associated targets and 2084 RSA-associated targets, with 49 targets overlapped. GO enrichment analysis showed 845 significant biological processes like decidualization, while KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed 76 significant entries including 18 signaling pathways, which were closely linked to PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, TNF, IL-17, and VEGF signaling pathways, etc. Molecular docking findings verified that AS6 had tight link with the key targets including JUN, CASP3, STAT3, SRC, and PTGS2. Notably, in vitro experiments revealed that AS6 treatment could exert lower expressions of JUN, pro-CASP3, CASP3, STAT3, SRC, and PTGS2 in decidual cells compared with progesterone despite the expressions of STAT3, SRC, and PTGS2 with no significant difference, and mifepristone could interfere with the effects. In general, numerous targets and multiple pathways involve during the process of AS6 treatment against RSA. Moreover, our in vitro research first reported that AS6 may regulate the expressions of key targets (JUN, CASP3, STAT3, SRC, and PTGS2) in decidual cells to promote decidualization, thus treating RSA.
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Murase H, El-Sheikh Ali H, Ruby RE, Scoggin KE, Ball BA. Transcriptomic analysis of the chorioallantois in equine premature placental separation. Equine Vet J 2022; 55:405-418. [PMID: 35622344 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine premature placental separation (PPS) is poorly understood and represents an important risk factor for fetal/neonatal hypoxia. OBJECTIVES To examine transcriptomic changes in the chorioallantois (CA) from mares with clinical PPS compared to the CA from normal foaling mares. Differential gene expression was determined and gene ontology as well as molecular pathways related to PPS were characterised. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case: control study. METHODS CA were collected from Thoroughbred mares with a clinical history of PPS (n=33) and from control Thoroughbred mares (n=4) with normal parturition for examination of transcriptional changes in the placenta associated with PPS. Transcriptomic changes in the villous CA near the cervical star were determined by Illumina® sequencing and subsequent bioinformatic analysis. PPS samples were divided by k-means clustering, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each PPS cluster were identified by comparing to controls. Shared DEGs between PPS clusters were used for gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis. RESULTS A total of 1204 DEGs were identified between PPS and control. Gene ontology revealed extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion, and pathway analysis revealed fatty acid, p-53, hypoxia, and inflammation. Eleven key regulator genes of PPS including growth factors (IGF1, TGFB2, TGFB3), transcription factors (HIF1A, JUNB, SMAD3), and transmembrane receptors (FGFR1, TNFRSF1A, TYROBP) were also identified. MAIN LIMITATIONS The use of clinical history of PPS, in the absence of other criteria, may have led to misidentification of some cases as PPS. CONCLUSIONS Transcriptomic analysis indicated that changes in ECM and cell adhesion were important factors in equine PPS. Key predicted upstream events include genes associated with hypoxia, inflammation and growth factors related to the pathogenesis of equine PPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harutaka Murase
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Urakawa, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | - Rebecca E Ruby
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Kirsten E Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Barry A Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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First Confirmed Diagnosis of Nocardioform Placentitis (Amycolatopsis lexingtonensis) in South America. J Equine Vet Sci 2021; 110:103835. [PMID: 34921982 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2021.103835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nocardioform placentitis is a pathologically unique form of placental disease first diagnosed in central Kentucky in the mid-80s. Since then, the occurrence of nocardioform placentitis in the region has varied over the years, from sporadic cases to outbreaks. The disease has been sporadically detected in other countries and has not been confirmed in South America. A 13-year-old multiparous Mangalarga delivered a healthy filly at 340d gestation. The mare passed the fetal membranes 33 minute after foaling. Gross examination of the fetal membranes identified two focal lesions on the chorionic surface consistent with focal mucoid placentitis. Histopathologic evaluation revealed hyperplasia and degeneration of the allantoic mesoderm, intense mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates with marked lymphocytes and plasma, and occasional macrophages and neutrophils in the microvilli. Necrotic debris and exudate were identified in the chorionic epithelium, with macrophages, plasma cells, and neutrophils confirming the diagnosis of focal mucoid placentitis. The exudate culture revealed white, firm, punctiform colonies of ∼1 mm diameter. Gram staining revealed bacilli with rounded ends and branching aspect typical of actinomycetes. PCR using primers for the 16S rRNA identified the genera of bacteria as Amycolatopsis. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis identified the isolate as Amycolatopsis lexingtonensis. In conclusion, we described the first confirmed case of nocardioform placentitis in South America. The present case was associated with the birth of a full-term healthy live foal; this result is consistent with Amycolatopsis spp and, in this case, was caused by A. lexingtonensis.
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