INHIBITION OF BACTERIAL ENDOMETRITIS WITH MANNOSE

Prior research indicates that mannose is capable of preventing bacteri al adherence to equine endometrial tissues in vitro. The present study was designed to test whether mannose would prevent attachment of path ogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) to equine endometrium in vivo. Six e strogen-treated anestrous mares received intrauterine infusions of 100 mi, E. coli (10(9) cells) in PBS or E. coli + 50 mg mannose/ml PBS. U terine fluid height and echogenicity were measured at 0, 24 and 48 hou rs following infusion. Intrauterine cultures and endometrial biopsies were obtained at 24 hours post-infusion. Cultures were plated for bact erial growth and identification. Biopsies were prepared for light micr oscopy and evaluated for bacterial attachment to luminal epithelium. M ares receiving E. coli alone accumulated more intrauterine fluid at 24 hours than the E. coli + mannose treated group. Uterine fluid echogen icity was not different between groups, but did increase at 24 hours. Percent luminal epithelial cells with bacteria attached did not correl ate with treatment. Incidence of positive culture at 24 hours was sign ificantly reduced in the mannose-treated group. Preliminary evidence s uggests that mannose may be effective in reducing bacterial infection in the equine endometrium.