Detection ofSimonsiellaspp. in the Vagina of Lions and Leopard in Oestrus

Abstract

Reports of the vaginal flora of wild cats such as lions or leopards are scarce. The micro-organisms most commonly found in the vagina of clinically healthy cats are aerobic bacteria such as coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Streptococcus canis, and Escherichia coli. Simonsiella spp are large Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Neisseriaceae family, typically found in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract of many species. To date, there are no reports of the detection of Simonsiella spp in the vaginal flora of any felid. For a period of six months, daily behaviour monitoring was performed on six captive lionesses at a South African conservation centre, in parallel with the collection of vaginal swabs and interpretation of the resultant vaginal cytologies every other day. Oestrus was identified by typical female reproductive behaviours, as well as by enlarged and separated vulvar lips, and a predominant proportion of superficial cornified cells, clearing of the background, and high bacterial presence in the vaginal smear. Simonsiella spp were identified by their characteristic morphology in 58% (60 of 103) of the vaginal samples collected during oestrus. They were also found in oral swabs of three out of three lions tested. Additionally, Simonsiella spp were opportunistically found in a vaginal smear from a zoo housed female Sri Lankan leopard in oestrus, during a routine reproduction assessment. The finding of Simonsiella spp may be more common than previously suspected, transitory, and without detectable clinical relevance. A connection between occurrence of these bacteria and oestrus was apparent.

Reproductive cycle stage assessment using vaginal cytology evaluation in African lions (Panthera leo)

“…The presence of Simonsiella spp associated to superficial epithelial cells was most commonly indicative of an on-going estrus that had started at least 2 to 3 days prior to the time of detection of this microorganism. Simonsiella spp originate in the oral cavity and are thought to colonize the vaginal epithelium during estrus, due to a combination of increased anogenital grooming and absence of local white cells (Valle et al 2006;Callealta et al 2018). This hypothesis would explain why these bacteria were found during the period immediately after estrus and during the post-partum period (although to a lesser extent) in the present study.…”

Non-surgical artificial insemination using a GnRH analogue for ovulation induction during natural oestrus in African lions (Panthera leo)

“…Behavioural oestrus was confirmed by the presence of a predominant proportion of Revised superficial cornified epithelial cells associated to a moderate-to-high number of bacteria and clearing of the background in the vaginal cytology [27] (Fig 1a). Day 1 of oestrus was defined as the first day a female showed behavioural and cytological oestrous signs after a resting period (where none of these signs were observed).…”

Cytologic detection of Simonsiella‐like bacteria suggesting oral contamination in cases of canine ulcerative keratitis

“…Neisseria, a common ocular bacterium from the same family as Simonsiella spp., can be readily distinguished cytologically as Neisseria possess a different morphology than Simonsiella. 29 Though presumptive diagnosis is typically sufficient due to Simonsiella's unique morphology, 2,[30][31][32] this series could be further substantiated by genetic sequencing confirming the presence of the Simonsiella genera.…”