On 1/12/2009 8:32 AM Sarah Hollis wrote:
> So could the CEM live in the smegma that rubs off the prepuce when they
> collect and transmit that way?
>

Our article on CEM outlines several areas of biosecurity failure that
could result in non-breeding transmission of the CEMO (remember that
stallions do not "have" contagious equine metritis - CEM is what the
mares develop - but stallions carry the CEM organism Taylorella
equigenitalis, and that is often referred as the "CEMO") between
stallions. One of the items listed was related to transference on the
breeding mount:

# Not using a disposable AV liner;
# Sharing AV's between stallions;
# Not cleaning AV's adequately between use;
# Not using a disposable protective barrier on the rear of the breeding
mount (where the penis contacts) during collection and changing it
between stallions;
# Not washing the breeding mount with a suitable agent (e.g.
Chlorhexidine) between stallions;
# Not using an antibiotic extender (or an antibiotic to which the
organism is not sensitive) - it should be noted that even with the use
of a suitable antibiotic, transmission may still occur;
# Sharing of penis washing equipment without sterilization in between
stallions or good aseptic technique (this includes hands - e.g. use of
disposable latex gloves when washing and/or guiding the penis that are
then discarded, or thorough scrubbing of the hands in between
collections/breedings with a suitable bactericide);
# Other poor sterility or aseptic technique associated with the
collection/breeding process.

The entire article can be reviewed on our site at
http://www.equine-reproduction.com/articles/CEM.shtml

Regards to all,

Jos Mottershead
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