Antibiogram and pathogen isolation from vaginal discharge in dairy cows with metritis

Abstract

The fertility success of dairy cows is greatly associated with their uterine health status in the postpartum period. However, the functioning of the uterus in cows is frequently put at risk due to contamination of the uterine lumen by pathogenic bacteria. The most common bacterial species causing uterine infections are Escherichia (E) coli, Trueperella (T) pyogenes, Streptococcus spp, Fusobacterium (F) necrophorum, Bacteroides and Prevotella. One of the most prevalent postpartum uterus diseases is defined as metritis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the bacterial insolation and antibacterial susceptibility resulting from vaginal discharges in dairy cows with metritis. The study was carried out on 15 multiparous (between 3 to 6 ages) Holstein dairy cows with metritis. Metritis was characterized by fever (>39.5°C), fetid watery red-brown vaginal discharge and systemic signs of diseases in the first 21 days postpartum. The vaginal swabs for microbiological analysis and the antimicrobial susceptibility test were taken under aseptic conditions from the cows. As a result, four different types of bacteria were isolated including E. coli (35.29%), T. pyogenes (29.41%), Streptococcus spp (17.65%) and Staphylococcus (S) aureus (17.65%). Then, 13 antimicrobial agents were used in the antibiogram test. It was found that the most effective antimicrobial agents were florfenicol, seftiofur, oxytetracycline, linkomycin and penicillin. Also, it was determined that some bacteria species have resistance against antimicrobial agents. In conclusion, it was concluded that the effects of antimicrobial agents and metritis agents changed from cow to cow. So, it was thought that uterine infections causing infertility can be restricted by the isolation of pathogen and the choice of appropriate antimicrobial agents.