Prevalence of Taylorella equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings in Southern Germany and Austria.

Abstract

Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis), is a venereal infection of equids which is of international concern to the equine breeding industry. A recent study showed a high prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic stallions when compared to stallions of other breeds also using for natural breeding. Consequently, the objectives of the present study were to investigate the prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic mares and geldings and to determine factors associated with a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result. In total, 361 Icelandic horses located in Southern Germany and Austria were tested for T. equigenitalis using a qPCR assay. An overall prevalence of 14.4 % was detected. Positive qPCR results were found in 2.2 % (3/134) of brood mares, 9.0 % (11/122) of maiden mares and in 36.2 % (38/105) of geldings. The odds for a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result were significantly lower in both brood (OR = 40.1, 95 % CI: 8.38-192, P < 0.001) and maiden mares (OR = 9.51, 95 % CI: 3.26-25.7, P < 0.001) when compared to geldings. Advancing age was not associated with higher odds for a T. equigenitalis-positive qPCR result (OR = 0.98, 95 % CI: 0.94-1.03, P = 0.51). However, horses of the younger age group showed significantly lower C_t values compared to horses of the older age group (P = 0.04). Furthermore, geldings showed significantly lower C_t values than brood (P < 0.03) and maiden mares (P < 0.001). This study showed a significantly higher prevalence of T. equigenitalis in Icelandic geldings compared to Icelandic mares. Icelandic geldings might therefore represent a reservoir for T. equigenitalis.