Contagious equine metritis: a review.
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) is a highly contagious venereal disease of horses caused by a fastidious, Gram-negative coccobacillus which grows best on chocolate agar under microaerophilic conditions (5-10% CO2). Clinically, the disease is characterized by a copious watery-to-mucopurulent, vaginal discharge two to ten days after breeding by an infected stallion (11, 13). Shortened estrous cycle lengths are common and may be the only indication of endometritis in some instances (7). Inapparent carriers of the disease in both the mare and stallion make control of the disease more difficult. Outbreaks of CEM have been reported in England, Ireland, France, Australia and the United States. The current information concerning CEM is reviewed.
Hughes
J P
JP
Department of Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.