A Study on Postpartum Metritis in Iraqi Buffalo Cows: Bacterial Causes and Treatment

Abstract

The objectives of the present study were to determine the relationship between bacteriological findings, clinical signs and histopathological changes in postpartum metritis. Evaluation of the treatment efficiency of using systemic or intra-uterine infusion of antibiotics with some hormonal preparations for the treatment of postpartum metritis. Data were collected from 50 buffalo cows with history of calving of more than 1 month. All buffaloes were subjected to detailed clinical examination including external inspection, vaginoscopy and transrectal palpation of the cervix, uterus and ovaries. Swabs for bacteriology and biopsies for histopathology were collected from uterine lumen from each buffalo included in the present study. Bacteria identified using API systems following aerobic and anaerobic cultures. Vaginal mucus scored for character, odour and estimation of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Treatment conducted using oxytetracycline in local intrauterine infusion or systemically with hormonal treatment including prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) and oestradiol benzoate. Results revealed that the most predisposing factor for postpartum uterine infection was retained placenta and toxic puerperal metritis. The most prevalent bacteria in uterine lumen were Escherichia coli, Archanobacterium pyogenes, Bacteroides fragilis and Fusobacterium necrophorum the most prevalent bacteria in buffaloes with postpartum metritis. A. pyogenes and F. necrophorum were an important pathogens causing severe uterine inflammation as found in histopathological examinations. Buffaloes with postpartum metritis showed good clinical cure when oxytetracycline injected systemically with PGF2 alpha. Intrauterine infusion of oxytetracycline had no advantage for the treatment of uterine infection in buffalo cows with postpartum metritis. PGF2 alpha improved clinical cure of buffaloes with postpartum metritis.

A study on the pathological lesions of oviducts of buffaloes diagnosed at postmortem

“…4 Chronic endometritis, higher degree of fibrosis of blood vessels and atrophy of endometrial glands (H&E X 100) hydrosalpinx and pyosalpinx found in the northern breed of Iraqi buffaloes when compared to Iraqi southern breed (Alwan et al 2001;Al-Fahad et al 2004). It could be accounted for largely due to the high prevalence of toxic puerperal metritis and chronic metritis as found by previous studies (Azawi et al 2007(Azawi et al , 2008a. In addition, these buffaloes were seldom slaughtered for meat because Iraqi northern buffaloes were high producing milk than other Iraqi breeds.…”

“…There is no report concerning these pathological lesions in buffalo oviducts. Although, many reports deal with the isolation of particular pathogens or potential pathogens from the uterus (Azawi and Taha 2002;Taha and Azawi 2003;Jadon et al 2005;Azawi et al 2007Azawi et al , 2008a, there has been no attempt to isolate bacteria from affected oviducts of buffaloes. The aims of this study were to study the prevalence of oviduct abnormalities of buffaloes, investigate bacteria accompanying hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx and salpingitis.…”

“…Genital organ disorders are important cause of infertility and sterility in buffalo cows causing high economic losses (Azawi 2006(Azawi , 2008Azawi et al 2008a). The oviducts are important for fertilization and the maintenance of the embryo until its arrival in the uterus.…”

Bacterial contamination of the uterus in cows with various clinical types of metritis and endometritis and use of hydrogen peroxide for intrauterine treatment

“…Although a similar course of uterine infection is described during physiological as well as pathological post partum involution, some differences were found in the quantity and spectrum of contaminants. (Endo) metritis in cows is usually associated with contaminants such as E. coli, A. pyogenes, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Bacteroides melaninogenicus, which show varied interactions (Foldi et al, 2006;Yavari et al, 2007;Azawi et al, 2008;Wang Jun et al, 2008;Petit et al, 2009). E. coli usually asserts itself at the beginning of inflammation and together with endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide) facilitates a subsequent infection with A. pyogenes (Dohmen et al, 2000;Zilaitis et al, 2004) and in addition inhibits follicular growth as well as the secretion of oestradiol (Williams et al, 2008a,b;Sheldon et al, 2009a).…”

The effect of Alcoholic plant (tribulus terrestris) extract on the bacteria isolated from genital tract of infertile cows in vitro

“…Nonspecific pathogens are mainly bacteria that enter the uterus by ascending infection; uterine pathogens may cause embryonic mortality by changing the uterine environment or by a direct cytolytic effect on the embryo. (28).…”