title: Suspected seminal vesiculitis in an Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).
abstract: A 32-year-old male Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) underwent routine transrectal stimulation for semen collection as part of an artificial insemination program. The procedure consisted of a preinsemination semen collection followed by two consecutive days of semen collections for artificial insemination. The second day's sample contained large numbers of inflammatory cells, intracellular bacteria, and phagocytized sperm. Semen was submitted for culture and sensitivity. Culture revealed Acinetobacter lwoffii, Staphylococcus intermedius, Kocuria roseus, and an unidentified gram-positive organism. Empirical antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim sulfa was initiated and then changed to enrofloxacin based on sensitivity panel results for a total of 28 days of treatment. Diagnostic semen collections were performed during treatment and 2 wk posttreatment to determine the success of therapy. Posttreatment collections revealed resolution of the inflammation. The origin of the infection was suspected to be the seminal vesicles.
authors.affiliation: Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum, 5701 East 36th Street North, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74115, USA. jkilburnvet@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jennifer J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kilburn
authors.forename: Karen E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Velguth
authors.forename: Kay A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Backues
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004606:Elephants; D000077422:Enrofloxacin; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D000077422:Enrofloxacin