Erythritol is considered important factor for Brucellae tropism in gravid uterus. Brucella infection is also reported in equines but associated with fistulous withers and hygromas. Can anyone answer if Erythritol is present in equine placenta?
Erythritol may enhance the brucella growth but it is not essential for growth of brucella. There is no correlation between rate of erythritol metabolsim and brucella virulence
Species which do not synthesize erythritol in placental tissues are also susceptible to brucella infection and develop placentitis. i.e. humans, horses, rats, mice, rabbits and guinea pigs.