Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A critical evaluation of diagnostic methods used to identify dairy cows with acute post-partum metritis in the current literature.
- Journal:
- The Journal of dairy research
- Year:
- 2012
- Authors:
- Sannmann, Ines et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinic for Animal Reproduction · Germany
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how well research papers explain the methods used to diagnose acute post-partum metritis (a serious infection in dairy cows after giving birth) and whether these methods are reliable. The researchers found 259 articles on this topic but narrowed it down to 48 that met their criteria. They discovered that while nine different diagnostic methods were used, only a small number of studies clearly defined the condition or provided strong evidence for the methods they used. Common methods included checking for vaginal discharge, feeling the cow's abdomen, and taking her temperature, but many studies lacked clear guidelines or support for their findings. Overall, the study concluded that there is a need for better reporting and more high-quality research to improve how we diagnose this condition in dairy cows.
Abstract
The overall objective of this study was to investigate how relevant research publications address the validity of diagnostic methods for acute puerperal metritis (APM) in dairy cows, a disease commonly treated with antibiotic drugs. Therefore, a literature search was conducted in Journal of Dairy Science, Theriogenology, Animal Reproduction Science and The Veterinary Journal utilizing the ScienceDirect database. The search revealed 259 articles addressing APM. After applying exclusion criteria, a total of 48 trials remained. It was determined whether the author gave a clear definition of APM, the time of diagnosis relative to calving, and the person who performed the diagnosis. Studies were checked for the presence of definitions of possible findings, thresholds, and test characteristics of the methods used. Overall 9 different diagnostic methods were employed. On average 2·5 ± 1·75 diagnostic methods were used in a study. References to support the use of the diagnostic methods were provided in 10 of 48 articles (20·8%). Vaginal discharge, transrectal palpation and rectal temperature were examined in 39, 22, and 21 of the studies, respectively. Thresholds for diagnostic tests and test characteristics were mentioned in 6 and 3 of the 48 articles, respectively. Based on this systematic review of 48 research papers the evidence supporting the use of the diagnostic methods to identify cows with APM has either been not reported or is weak. In conclusion, the reporting of the diagnostic methods to identify cows with APM needs to be improved and further high-quality research is necessary to improve diagnostic performance of the methods employed.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22963732/