980 (Shigella flexneri) – n.d.   1037 Escherichia coli 0.930 SLT-II n.d.   3137 Pediococcus acidilactici 0.990 n.d. +   3140 Pediococcus acidilactici 1.000 n.d. +   3141 Enterococcus faecalis 0.990 n.d. n.d.   3226 Pediococcus acidilactici 0.990 n.d. – 2367 (Healthy) 3136 Staphylococcus Stattic order warneri 0.993 n.d. n.d. 2374 (Healthy) 1062 Escherichia coli 0.976 (Shigella flexneri) SLT-II n.d.   2027 Bacillus licheniformis 0.982 n.d. n.d.   2028 Bacillus

licheniformis 0.978 n.d. n.d.   3251 Streptococcus pluranimalium 0.990 n.d. n.d. 2409 (Healthy) 1046 Escherichia coli 0.978 (Shigella flexneri) – n.d.   3135 Staphylococcus hominis subsp. hominis 0.991 n.d. n.d. 2426 (Healthy) 2023 Bacillus altitudinis 0.998 n.d. n.d.   2024 Bacillus pumilus 0.981 n.d. n.d. *2211-A (Infected) 1036 Escherichia coli 0.981(Shigella flexneri) – n.d.   3139 Enterococcus faecalis 0.980 n.d. n.d. *2211-B (Infected) 1174 Escherichia

coli 0.980 – n.d.   1176 Escherichia coli 0.980 – n.d.   2044 Bacillus licheniformis 0.998 n.d. n.d.   2045 Bacillus galactosidilyticus 0.990 n.d. n.d.   2049 Bacillus oleronius 0.990 n.d. n.d.   2052 Smad inhibitor Rummeliibacillus pycnus 0.970 n.d. n.d. 2312 (Infected) 2039 Bacillus licheniformis 0.982 n.d. n.d.   2047 Lysinibacillus fusiformis selleck kinase inhibitor 0.970 n.d. n.d.   2048 Sporosarcina contaminans 0.980 n.d. n.d.   2050 Streptococcus thoraltensis 0.990 n.d. n.d.   2051 Rummeliibacillus pycnus 0.970 n.d. n.d.   3308 Lactobacillus mucosae 0.996 n.d. n.d. Idelalisib nmr 2373 (Infected) 1063 Escherichia coli 0.987 (Shigella flexneri / Escherichia fergusonii) – n.d. 2429 (Infected) 3227 Staphylococcus warneri 0.990 n.d. n.d.   3138 Pediococcus acidilactici 0.990 n.d. + 2435 (Infected) 1049 Escherichia coli 0.980 (Shigella flexneri / Escherichia fergusonii) – n.d. 2436 (Infected) 1070 Escherichia coli 0.973 (Escherichia fergusonii) – n.d. 2507 (Infected) 1064 Escherichia coli 0.960 (Shigella flexneri) SLT-I n.d.   3180 Streptococcus pluranimalium 0.990 n.d. n.d.   2029 Bacillus licheniformis 0.995 n.d. n.d. (a) % identity of partial 16S rDNA to type strain

or closest relative; +: positive PCR results; -: negative PCR results; n.d.: data not determined *Cow #2211-A and 2211-B represent two different animals that were assigned the same number at different times. Healthy, pregnant animals and those diagnosed with post partum uterine infections at the time of sampling are indicated in brackets. Bacilli, staphylococci, and lactic acid bacteria of the genera Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Pediococcus were present in both healthy and infected cows. Escherichia coli were also frequently isolated, particularly from infected animals. Isolates were screened for the presence of SLT-I and SLT-II genes, sample results for their PCR detection in E. coli isolates are shown in Figure 1a and Figure 1b, respectively. E. coli FUA1064 isolated from cow #2507 harboured the SLT-I gene, while E.