Bacterial cultures are performed both before and after activation because some mares may be culture positive for E. coli before activation, but only culture positive for Strep. zoo after activation. If only a post activation sample is recovered, important information related to treatment could be missed.
Please note that activation by itself, induced by uterine infusion of bActivate in a chronically infected mare, is not a treatment for chronic endometritis in the mare, but a diagnostic aid.
Precautions
Breeding in the same estrus cycle as the mare is activated is not recommended. When a non-self compound is present in the uterus, inflammation will be initiated. This is also the case when bActivate is instilled in the uterus. Because uterine inflammation has a negative impact on fertility, breeding should be postponed to the following cycle.
If bActivate is instilled in the uterus of a mare chronically infected with Strep zoo, the subclinical inactive infection will be activated without systemic effects on the mare like fever, in appetence or discomfort. If the mare is heavily infected marked clinical signs of endometritis will be present (uterine discharge and accumulation of intrauterine fluid/exudates).
bActivate has been tested in barren mares, with a fully involuted uterus. We do not recommend the use of bActivate in mares post foaling until full uterine involution has taken place (see terms and conditions for more detailed information).
References
- Petersen, M. R., Nielsen, J. M., Lehn-Jensen, H. and Bojesen, A. M. (2009). Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus resides deep in the chronically infected endometrium of mares, Clinical Theriogenology 1, 393-409.
- Petersen, M. R., Lu, K., Christoffersen, M., Nielsen, J. M., Troedsson, M.H.T. and Bojesen, A. M (2013). Impact of activation and subsequent antimicrobial treatment of dormant endometrial streptococci in the Thoroughbre problem mare – a descriptive field study, Abstract and Poster, Society for Theriogenology Annual Meeting, Louisville, Kentucky
Company
Bojesen and Petersen Biotech Aps, co/ Anders Miki Bojesen, Strandboulevarden 23, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark