Treatments for Latent Infections, Bacterial Biofilms, and Fungal Endometritis

The goal for treating mares with latent or dormant bacteria is to get the bacteria to move from the dormant state into a metabolically active state in which identification and treatment can be performed. Recent work by Petersen et al (2015) has shown that dormant Streptococcus zooepidemicus can be activated by infusing a proprietary medium (bActivate) into the uterus. After the infusion (24 hours) 64% (15/25) mares were culture positive for Streptococcus zooepidemicus as compared to 8% (1/12) mares infused with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The proprietary medium is capable is able to get bacteria to convert from the dormant state to a metabolically active state and treatment can be initiated. Interestingly, it should be noted that breeding also may result in bacteria being activated from a dormant state. Recent work by Christoffersen et al (2015) showed that 55% (16 of 29) of mares with a negative culture prior to breeding but retained fluid after breeding were positive for growth of ...