AN OUTBREAK OF ABORTION IN MARES ASSOCIATED WITH SALMONELLA-ABORTUSEQUI INFECTION

An abortion outbreak occurred in a herd of 38 horses, 26 of which were pregnant mares. Twenty-one mares aborted between 5-10 months of gesta tion. In no case were there indications of impending abortion. Pathoan atomical, histopathological, virological and bacteriological examinati ons were carried out on 4 aborted fetuses. Histopathology identified G ram-negative bacteria compatible with salmonella in all 4 placentae. B y subsequent bacteriological examination Salmonella abortusequi was is olated as the single causative agent in each case. Nonmotile Salmonell a abortusequi with antigenic formula 4,12:-:- was isolated from one of the 4 fetuses. The described episode of equine abortion clearly indic ates that Salmonella abortusequi has not been eradicated from Europe a s previously thought.