Leukocyte esterase reagent strips for stall-side diagnosis of endometritis in mares

Abstract The objective of this study was to compare a commercially available leukocyte esterase strip test with endometrial cytology in diagnosing endometritis, as well as establish a cutoff point, sensitivity and specificity for the leukocyte esterase test (LET). Forty-six light breed mares presented for breeding management were enrolled in this study. Transrectal palpation and ultrasonography examinations were performed to determine when the mares were in estrus. Kalayjian endometrial swabs were used for culture, cytology and the LET by using the cap to retrieve an endometrial scraping. Thirty-six mares had a negative leukocyte esterase test. There was not a significant correlation between cytology results and culture results nor between leukocyte esterase test results and culture results. The correlation coefficient between leukocyte esterase test and cytology was r = 0.698. The leukocyte esterase test had a Receiver Operator Curve area under the curve of 0.871 with a test value cutoff point which was any result that contained trace or greater amounts. The sensitivity at this point was 77.8 % and the specificity was 94.6 %. The leukocyte esterase test could be used to rule in endometritis in severe cases, but is not sensitive enough to rule out endometritis.