A comparison of the diagnostic protocols used in screening for contagious equine metritis (CEM) in the United Kingdom and the United States

Abstract

The aim of this literature review was to provide a synopsis of the current diagnostic protocols that are used to detect carriers of contagious equine metritis (CEM) in the United States and in the United Kingdom, establish the differences, and discuss ways to improve them. CEM is a venereal disease of horses caused by the fastidious, slow-growing bacterium T. eguigenitalis. The disease has been recorded in many countries across the world, some in which it is eradicated, and the source of the disease is often non-Thoroughbred horses in mainland Europe. CEM causes temporary infertility in the mare, which subsequently leads to a significant financial loss to horse owners and breeders. Stallions exist only as carriers. Detecting the carrier stallion and mare is the key solution to preventing a CEM outbreak.