Taylorella equigenitalis (T. equigenitalis) is the causative agent of the communicable venereal disease contagious equine metritis (CEM). In stallions, there are no clinical symptoms of the infection, yet the bacteria can be present in penile/preputial smegma and as such may be transmitted through natural mating or artificial insemination; a principal source of infection as a stallion will mate with numerous mares and infection can last for months and even years in some cases. In contrast, clinical symptoms in mares varies from nothing to vaginal discharge associated with endometritis, cervicitis, vaginitis and even abortion of unborn offspring. A vaccination against CEM/T. equigenitalis is not currently available
The CEM organism (CEMO) can spread rapidly leading to infection of epidemic proportions, therefore it is of vital importance to employ a quick, accurate testing method to help prevent occurrence and spread of CEM. Traditional microbiological methods can be employed to determine the presence of the CEMO however T. equigenitalis is a slow growing, microaerophilic bacteria which generally takes 3-6 day to grow; negative reports should only be certified after 7 days of incubation with no growth. In addition, traditional microbiology can only detect viable bacteria, yet T. equigenitalis may have died during transit to the laboratory or exposure to sunlight or inappropriate temperatures thus giving way to the possibility of generating false negative results
There is a need within the equine industry from both a legislative and duty of care stand point to detect certain pathogenic species quickly and accurately. Traditional culture methods are slow, time consuming and often non-specific. Consequently, these shortfalls have been overcome by utilizing real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Until recently only two qPCR assays have been developed and approved for use by the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB): one which identifies T. equigenitalis DNA only and the other identifying DNA from T. equigenitalis along with the other microorganisms Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) designed as a multiplex.
This kit detects Taylorella equigenitalis (CEMO), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa independently
These kits have been granted permission to be used by registered Laboratories in the HBLB testing scheme.
Instrumentation Requirements:Designed for use in other instruments. For use in genesig® q16, look for the “Easy” nomenclature.
genesig® kits are sold for research use only and are not licensed for diagnostic procedures.
DNA/RNA Extraction:genesig® Easy DNA/RNA extraction kits are a simple to use, low cost and powerful extraction technology suitable for virtually all sample types.
Kit Components:Primer and probe mix (150 reactions)Reverse Transcription, target specific primers (RNA genome viruses only)Copy number standard curve (sufficient for multiple standard curves)RNAse/DNAse free water
Storage and Stability:Store powder at 4°C liquid at -20°C. Store other components at 4°C. Stable for at least 6 months For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.
