Comparison of clinical signs and bacterial isolates of postpartum endometritis in holstein dairy cows in Iran (original) (raw)
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Journal of Reproduction and Development, 2014
We investigated the relationship between the persistence of uterine bacterial infections with cytologically determined endometritis and ovarian function in 65 postpartum Holstein cows. Vaginal mucus discharges were collected, and endometrial smear samples (n = 130) were collected for cytological and bacteriological examinations from the cows at weeks 5 and 7 postpartum (pp). Blood samples were collected at weeks 3, 5 and 7 pp to determine plasma progesterone concentrations to monitor ovarian activity. According to the bacteriological examination, cows were classified into four groups. The first group (n = 32; 49%) comprised cows negative for bacteria at weeks 5 and 7 pp. The second group (n = 11; 17%) comprised cows with bacterial infections at week 5 pp but that were clear of infection at week 7 pp. The third group (n = 12; 19%) comprised cows without bacteria at week 5 pp but that acquired an infection by week 7 pp. The fourth group (n = 10; 15%) comprised cows with bacterial infections at weeks 5 and 7 pp (persistence of infection). A positive correlation (P < 0.001) was noted between the severity of cytologically determined endometritis, purulent vaginal discharge and the persistence of infection. Cows with persistent infections had a significantly (P < 0.01) prolonged luteal phase compared with cows without infection. In conclusion, the prevalence of cytologically determined endometritis and prolonged luteal phase were significantly increased in cows with persistent infections.
Validation of On-Farm Bacteriological Systems for Endometritis Diagnosis in Postpartum Dairy Cows
Animals
The objective of this study was to validate the accuracy of the results of on-farm bacteriological culture media (Tri-plate and Petrifilm) from endometrial samples compared with the ones from the diagnostic laboratory. A cross-sectional observational study was set up within two dairy herd clients of the Université de Montréal. A total of 189 cows in the postpartum period were systematically enrolled to collect two uterine samples from cytobrushes during the same examination. The first cytobrush was used to inoculate the Tri-plate medium directly and then was sent to the reference laboratory for aerobic bacterial culture. The second cytobrush was used to make a microscopic smear for cytological analysis (proportion of polymorphonuclear cells) and subsequently diluted in 1 mL of saline to inoculate the Petrifilm medium. From these data, statistical analyses were computed to optimize the summation of sensitivity and specificity of the two systems compared with the results of the refere...
Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 2017
This study aims to demonstrate the relationship among vaginal secretions, bacterial isolates, and endometrial cytology during 20-30 days postpartum in beef cows. Background: Endometritis is one of the most common diseases that occurs in dairy cow after several weeks postpartum period. There is two types of endometritis, clinical and subclinical endometritis that cause severe economic losses by increased days open, calving interval and numbers of services to conception. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 beef cows, aged 3 years to 7 years and at 20-30 days post-calving, were enrolled in this study. All the cows were checked by transrectal palpation, ultrasound, and vaginal secretions collection. A four-grade system (0 = clear mucus, 1 = mucus containing flecks of pus, 2 = discharge including < 50% pus, and 3 = involving > 50% pus) was used to categorize vaginal secretions of these cows. Endometrial cytology and bacteriological samples were then collected using a cytobrush technique. Results: Nine of 82 beef cows (11%) had abnormal vaginal secretions (grade 1-3) and indicated to clinical endometritis (CE), and nine of 73 clinically healthy cows (12.32%) had subclinical endometritis (SCE, ≥ 8 % PMN cows). The agreement among endometrial examination, polymorphonuclear neutrophil percentage (PMN %), and vaginal discharge score (0-3) was moderate (k = 0.48, p < 0.01), whereas that between vaginal discharge score (0-3) and bacteriological finding was poor (k = 0.032, p = 0.51). The agreement between bacterial finding and PMN % was also poor (k = 0.15, p = 0.02). Escherichia coli was the most common bacteria isolated from healthy (14.6 %), CE (38.8 %), and SCE (42.8 %) cows. Moreover, E. coli was the major bacteriological risk factor for SCE occurrence. E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common risk factors for the occurrence of CE. Conclusion: A moderate agreement exists among PMN %, bacteriological findings, and vaginal secretions, whereas a poor agreement exists between bacterial findings and PMN %. E. coli, S. aureus, and dystocia were the major factors affecting uterine infection in beef cows. CE and SCE insignificantly affected the reproductive performance of beef cows.
2014
The objectives of this study were to assess the agreement between endometrial cytology and uterine biopsy for the diagnosis of subclinical endometritis (SEND) in grazing dairy cows, the interobserver agreement of the biopsy's readings, and the bacterial population isolated from the uterus of cows having SEND. In experiment 1, lactating Holstein cows (n = 44) 31 to 59 d in milk (DIM) at sampling were enrolled. Clinical endometritis was diagnosed by direct evaluation of vaginal discharge and SEND by endometrial cytology evaluation. Two hundred cells per smear were counted to determine the percentage of polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocytes (PMNL). Cutoff values used were ≥8% PMNL at ≤33 DIM, ≥6% PMNL at 34 to 47 DIM, and ≥4% PMNL at ≥48 DIM. Biopsies were assessed blindly by 2 observers who categorized them into 4 groups according to their inflammatory changes: none, minimal, moderate, and severe inflammatory changes. Data were analyzed using the kappa coefficient and logistic regression. In experiment 2, lactating Holstein cows (n = 60) 21 to 62 DIM were enrolled. Clinical endometritis and SEND were diagnosed as previously described. Samples were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria by routine methods of bacteriological testing. Data were analyzed with logistic regression. In experiment 1, little agreement was observed between cytology and biopsy outputs (kappa = 0.151), and strong agreement between the 2 operators (kappa = 0.854). The likelihood of having a normal biopsy (no inflammatory change) was greater for healthy cows than for those having SEND (odds ratio = 13.145). The probability for getting normal uterine tissue decreased 2.1% for every increasing percentage point in PMNL. In experiment 2, no bacteria were isolated from cows with SEND, coagulase-negative staphylococci were commonly isolated from healthy cows, and Trueperella pyogenes was frequently isolated from cows with clinical endometritis. The likelihood of isolating T. pyogenes from uterine samples increased with the percentage of PMNL (odds ratio = 1.100). In conclusion, biopsy showed low agreement with cytology for the diagnosis of SEND. Nevertheless, fertility trials using uterine biopsies to predict pregnancy outcomes are needed to determine its diagnostic usefulness. Finally, bacteriology would not be recommended as a diagnostic tool because no bacteria were isolated from cows with SEND.
Risk factors of clinical and subclinical endometritis in cattle: a review
TURKISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES, 2017
Introduction In cows, 75% of cases of milk fever, ketosis, displaced abomasum, retained placenta, and uterine infections occur during the first 30 days postpartum (1). Interestingly, bacteria that are isolated from the uterine lumen of 80%-90% of normal cows during the first weeks after calving (2) are responsible for five 'classifications' of uterine infections: puerperal metritis, clinical metritis, clinical and subclinical endometritis, and pyometra. Puerperal metritis presents as a fetid watery-red brown vulvar discharge associated with systemic signs and pyrexia (>39.5 °C) within 21 days of parturition, while clinical metritis presents as a purulent vulvar discharge detected within 21 days postpartum, but without any systemic signs (3). Clinical endometritis is characterized by purulent discharge after 21 days postpartum or a mucopurulent discharge after 26 days postpartum (3). In the absence of any clinical signs, subclinical endometritis is defined according to the stage of postpartum by the presence of >8% neutrophils in uterine cytological samples 21-33 days postpartum, >6% neutrophils at 34-46 days postpartum, or >4% neutrophils after 48 days postpartum (4). Pyometra is characterized by a significant accumulation of purulent material in the uterine lumen combined with a closed cervix and the persistence of a corpus luteum (3). The global incidence of endometritis in cattle is highly variable, ranging from 3.4% to 40%, depending on the diagnostic method (5). Clinical and subclinical endometritis negatively affect the performance of the world's dairy industry; economic losses are related to delay in the resumption of ovarian activity, increased number of services per conception, decreased milk yield, and costs of treatment of the disease (6,7). The United States and Europe have 8.5 and 24.1 million dairy cows and uterine infection costs 650 million dollars and 1.4 billion Euros, respectively (2). Excluding the bovine herpes virus 4 (BoHV-4), a large number of bacteria are responsible for clinical and subclinical endometritis (8,9); these are classified according to their pathogenicity and their frequency of
The prevalence of subclinical endometritis and intrauterine infections in repeat breeder cows
Theriogenology, 2015
The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of subclinical endometritis and the presence of common uterine pathogens in repeat breeder cows. A total of 121 cows with ≥3 consecutive artificial inseminations without conception and no clinical signs of disease were defined as repeat breeder cows and enrolled in this trial. Intrauterine samples were collected with the cytobrush technique to determine the prevalence of subclinical endometritis and bacteriological infections. Blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of progesterone and estradiol in plasma to assess ovarian activity. Furthermore, breed, parity, history of calving and postpartum uterine infection, clinical findings of transrectal palpation, and backfat thickness were analyzed as potential factors for the prevalence of subclinical endometritis in repeat breeder cows. The prevalence of subclinical endometritis in repeat breeder cows was 12.7%, but common uterine pathogens Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes were found in only one and three cows, respectively. Ovarian activity was determined in 95.0% of all cows. Recorded variables had no effect on the prevalence of subclinical endometritis in repeat breeder cows. In conclusion, subclinical endometritis and uterine infections linked to common pathogens were playing a minor role as cause for repeat breeder cows in this study. Alternative reasons for failure to conceive in these cows are discussed.
Cytologic and histologic characteristics of endometritis in postpartum dairy cows
Annals of Biological Research, 2013
Endometritis is a prevalent uterine infection in postpartum dairy cows that causes some alterations in the endometrium. So, the aim of this study was to determine the comparative cellular and histological characteristics of uterus, especially neutrophils index and cell morphological alterations, in healthy and endometritic Holstein cows. Thirty non-pregnant cows were used. Based on uterine discharge score, they were grouped into healthy (nine) and endometritic (twenty one) cows. Uterine discharges were sampled at day 0 of oestrus cycle for studying cellular characteristics. At second day of cycle, larger horn of uteri were sampled for histological investigations. Also, blood samples were collected at days 0, 3 and 9 for measuring of progesterone concentrations changes. Cytological study of uterine discharge showed that the bacterial and neutrophils population (P<0.01), and also cell alterations indices (P<0.05) were affected in endometritic group. Histologically, the thickness...
Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Bacteria from Dairy Cows with Clinical Endometritis
2013
Clinical endometritis is inflammation of the endometrial lining of the uterus and is associated with delayed uterine involution and poor fertility. Bacterial pathogens are a potential cause when cows fail to conceive on one or more cycles in the same season. Furthermore, emerging bacterial resistance to commonly used antibiotics has been demonstrated. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolated bacteria from cows with clinical endometritis. In this study, a total of 24vaginal discharge swabs from cows with clinical endometritis problems were evaluated and the bacterial isolates were identified and measured for resistance to 8 antibiotics most commonly used during bacterial infection. 91.66% percent of the examined cows were positive for bacteriological investigations. Amongst 22 successful isolations, 25% were S. pyogenes, 20.8% Escherichia coli and 20.8% Streptococcus spp. considered frequently associated with fertility problems. Determination of the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates showed that all isolates of S. aureus were resistant to ampicillin, oxacillin and vancomycin. E. coli showed resistance to sulphamethaxazole (40%), polymixin (100%), tetracycline (100%), oxacillin (40%), gentamycin (40%) and cefoxitin (100%). The isolates of A. pyogenes showed resistance to polymixin (66.66%), tetracycline (66.66%), oxacillin (16.66%), gentamycin (50%) and cefoxitin (16.66%). Klebsiella spp. showed resistance to only cefoxitin (100%). This study revealed that the clinical endometritis is mainly due to A. Pyogenes,E.coli and Streptococcus spp. This study revealed that the bacteria A. pyogenes followed by Streptococcus Spp. and E. coli are more commonly isolated in clinical endometritis in cows and the drugscefoxitin and sulphamethaxazole are highly effective.
Definitions and diagnosis of postpartum endometritis in dairy cows
2010
The objectives of this observational study were to determine and compare diagnostic criteria for postpartum endometritis in dairy cows. Data generated from 1,044 Holstein cows (6 herds) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial were used. Cows were examined for endometritis at 35 ± 3 d (exam 1) and 56 ± 3 d (exam 2) after parturition, using endometrial cytology (cytobrush technique), vaginal discharge scoring (Metricheck device; Simcrotech, Hamilton, New Zealand), and cervical diameter measurement (transrectal palpation). Reproductive data were recorded until 200 d after parturition. Diagnostic criteria for cytological and clinical endometritis were determined based on detrimental effect on subsequent reproductive performance, using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models accounting for the effect of herd clustering. Comparison of diagnostic criteria was performed using endometrial cytology as reference test or by quantifying the agreement between diagnostic approaches. At exam 1, diagnostic criteria were ≥6% polymorphonuclear cells and mucopurulent or worse (purulent or foul) vaginal discharge for cytological and clinical endometritis, respectively. At exam 2, diagnostic criteria were ≥4% polymorphonuclear cells and mucopurulent or worse vaginal discharge for cytological and clinical endometritis, respectively. Cows were classified as having cytological endometritis only, clinical endometritis only, or both cytological and clinical endometritis. Prevalence at exam 1 was 13.5, 9.4, and 5.8% for cytological endometritis only, clinical endometritis only, and both cytological and clinical endometritis, respectively. The detrimental effects of cytological and clinical endometritis on reproductive performance were additive. Among cows with clinical endometritis, only 38 and 36% had cytological endometritis at exam 1 and exam 2, respectively. Combination of diagnostic criteria improved neither the accuracy for predicting cytological endometritis nor the agreement between cytological and clinical endometritis. Overall, these results suggested that cytological and clinical endometritis may represent different manifestations of reproductive tract disease. They also suggested that use of the terminology clinical endometritis may not be accurate and that purulent vaginal discharge may be more descriptive.