Study of Bacteria Associated with Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome

The exact cause of the death of fetuses from mares with Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome (MRLS)is unknown. However, after examining tissues from the fetuses, the pathologists at the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center concluded that bacteria were a major factor in their death. Bacteria have been recovered from most of the fetuses and preliminary data indicate that they may be new species of bacteria that have not been previously associated with equine abortions/stillbirths. The aims of this project are to characterize and name the significant bacteria species involved, to detennine what antimicrobial agents can be useful for the treatment of mares with 11RLS,and to detennine where the bacteria come from.