the sample on the swab is not relevant, as even a low volume of smegma may harbor this pathogen. the need for a pcr-based test arose from the microaerophilic and slow-growing nature of the bacterium, both of which makes t. equigenitalis difficult to transport in a viable manner, as well as difficult to grow pure isolates rapidly. the pcr test allows for equal sensitivity to that of culture-based diagnosis, but gives more rapid results. treatment infections of taylorella equigenitalis can be managed and cleared by disinfectants and antibiotics, both administered topically. antibiotics useful in treating t. equigenitalis include ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, erythromycin, tetracyclines, gentamicin, and tobramycin. however, some strains of t. equigenitalis have been shown to display streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin resistance and should therefore be avoided. daily washing of the external genitalia with a solution of 4% chlorhexidine, followed by application of nitrofurazone antibiotic ointment has been stated to be an effective treatment option for stallions and colts. removal of smegma from the urethral fossa and sinus of the stallions and colts, and from the clitoral sinuses of mares is also vital in the treatment plan. these treatment protocols should be completed once daily over the course of five days for the stallions, or in regards to the mares, over the course of a few weeks. treatment times can vary in the mares depending on the extent of the disease. ten days post treatment, the stallion should be retested before he is brought back into the breeding herd. prevention prevention is key in avoiding taylorella equigenitalis outbreaks. stallions and mares require a certificate before import into the united states of america and canada stating they are t. equigenitalis negative. upon entry into north america, each horse must undergo quarantine and additional testing. testing, physical exams, and sample collections must be completed by an accredited veterinarian upon quarantine. contagious equine metritis as a reportable disease in canada. this title means that heightened preventative measures are taken to ensure that t. equigenitalis does not enter canada. if a breeding-age horse is to be imported into canada, it must first be tested for the presence of cem, then quarantined, if the horse originates from a country where cem is prevalent. in endemic areas, environmental hygiene and restrictive breeding programs are effective in preventing transmission from fomites and asymptomatic stallion carriers, respectively. there is currently no effective vaccine against t. equigenitalis. clinical and economic value thoroughbreds in the horseracing industry are a cause of concern for taylorella equigenitalis outbreaks as seen in the 1977 outbreak in kentucky. due to the possibility of asymptomatic carriers of taylorella equigenitalis leading to cem, the economic impact can be substantial. cem is a reportable disease in canada to the canadian food inspection agency (cfia) and in the united states of america to the united states department of agriculture (usda). it is important to target the asymptomatic carriers to limit the clinical impact, as well as the economical impact. this disease caused by t. equigenitalis is a concern in the equine industry, especially the professional industries of the thoroughbreds and american quarter horses. following the 1977 outbreak, the cost of the t. equigenitalis to the kentucky thoroughbred industry was us$4 million. although the prognosis following treatment of t. equigenitalis is relatively good, infertility can occur leading to economic losses for the owner; therefore, exact economic losses vary by individual. treatment, isolation protocols, and investigation of potential outbreaks are costly for the industry. overall, an outbreak of t. equigenitalis can cost upwards of millions of dollars in lost revenue from semen and embryos, as well as import and export limitations.