Effects of intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin in normal cows and in cows with endometritis induced by experimental infection with Streptococcus agalactiae.
Two experiments were carried out to describe the effects of intrauterine infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin on some aspects of nonspecific uterine defense mechanisms in healthy cyclic cows (Experiment 1) and in cows with induced endometritis by experimental infection with Streptococcus agalactiae (Experiment 2). In Experiments 1 and 2, the mean log(e) total white cell counts (>95% neutrophils) in the uterine flushing fluid of the endotoxin-treated group were significantly increased (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Streptococcus agalactiae was detected by the Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) in 47% of the samples from uteri experimentally infected with this organism; 12.5% were positive on culture, and only 10% were positive on both tests. With one exception, all the samples with a positive culture were positive to the LAT, but not all samples submitted to the LAT had positive culture. There was a significant (P<0.05) association between endotoxin treatment and the presence of infection detected by the LAT but not with that detected by culture (P>0.05) at 3 to 12 days post infection. Similar results were found at 8 to 16 days post infection. The infection disappeared from the endotoxin-treated group but not from the non-treated group 12 days after the induction of infection. It is concluded that intrauterine E. coli endotoxin infusion might provide an alternative treatment for those cows with endometritis that is refractory to conventional antimicrobial and hormonal therapy. It is also concluded that the LAT is an easier, quicker and more reliable method than bacterial culture for the detection of endometritis caused by Strep. agalactiae , and, possibly, such immunodiagnostic tests may be useful for the detection of other uterine infections.
Hussain
A M
AM
Department of Farm Animal Medicine and Production The University of Queensland, 96 Pinjarra Road, Pinjarra Hills, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Daniel
R C
RC