Evaluation of diagnostic methods in equine endometritis.
This review suggests a classification for uterine diseases of mares. Information is presented on the prevalence of endometritis in the past and at present. The review describes uterine sampling techniques for mares: swabbing, cytobrushing, low volume lavage and biopsy. The performance of culture, cytology and histology and threshold values is discussed. Correlations between different diagnostic methods and fertility are presented, as well as specificities, sensitivities and positive and negative predictive values of the diagnostic methods. The necessity for double-guarded techniques is emphasized to prevent sample contamination.
University of Helsinki, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Medicine, Saari, 04920 Saarentaus, Finland. Electronic address: terttu.katila@helsinki.fi.
Terttu
T
Katila
D000818:Animals; D004716:Endometritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology*
endometritis; endometrium; infection; inflammation; mare