THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BACTERIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL FINDINGS IN COWS WITH SUBACUTE CHRONIC ENDOMETRITIS

Bacteriological data from the uterine swabs of 101 cows with subacute/chronic (> 14 d post partum) endometritis, with additional clinical observations (cervical discharge score), were collected before and at 14 d after intrauterine treatment with antibiotics. The discharge score ranged from 0 (clear mucus) to 4, and increased when it was more purulent. On the day of treatment, Actinomyces pyogenes, Bacteroides spp. and Fusobacterium necrophorum were isolated from 65, 77 and 61% of the uterine swabs. Escherichia coli was present in 36% and other bacteria in 48% of the swabs. The presence of A. pyogenes was positively correlated with that of Bacteroides spp. (P < 0.001) and F. necrophorum (P < 0.05), whereas E. coli and streptococci were negatively associated with the presence of A. pyogenes (P < 0.05). Actinomyces pyogenes, Bacteroides spp and F. necrophorum were positively correlated with a discharge score (P < 0.05). The absence of A. pyogenes and/or F. necrophorum at 14 d after treatment resulted in higher clinical cure rates (defined as absence of pathologic discharge), (P < 0.01). These data support the importance of A. pyogenes and Gram-negative anaerobes in the pathology of endometritis. We also conclude that vaginoscopic examination is a good tool for the diagnosis of subacute/chronic endometritis and evaluation of the result of the treatment.