ISOLATION OF BACTEROIDES-UREOLYTICUS FROM VAGINAL DISCHARGE OF MARES

A total of seven Bacteroides ureolyticus strains were isolated from th e cervix and the clitoral fossa of mares with vaginal discharge. No ot her bacteria capable of causing metritis or vaginitis were isolated fr om the samples. The isolated strains resembled Taylorella equigenitali s. Both species are catalase, oxidase and alkaline phosphatase positiv e, but, in addition to these characteristics, B. ureolyticus strains p roduced urease and they could not tolerate 10% O-2. They also failed t o be agglutinated in a hyperimmune serum raised against T. equigenital is; however, B. ureolyticus and T. equigenitalis were agglutinated in the slide agglutination test in a serum produced against one of the B. ureolyticus isolates. Further investigations are needed to clarify th e pathologic role of B. ureolyticus in genital infections of mares and other animals.