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Infectious disease diagnostic assays
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1678, USA. michaellappin@colostate.edu
Topics in Companion Animal Medicine
|December 1, 2009
Summary
This review updates common infectious disease assays for dogs and cats. Veterinarians can use molecular diagnostics to manage infectious diseases, but assay accuracy varies, impacting patient care.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Diagnostic Assays
Background:
- Dogs and cats frequently encounter infectious disease agents.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and disease management in small animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on commonly used infectious disease assays in small animal practice.
- To discuss the utility and limitations of molecular diagnostic assays in veterinary medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on infectious disease assays for companion animals.
- Analysis of the application of pathogen-specific molecular diagnostic assays.
Main Results:
- Molecular diagnostic assays can aid veterinarians in managing infectious diseases.
- Assay results can be positive in healthy animals or falsely negative in ill animals.
- The predictive values of these assays vary depending on the specific infectious agent.
Conclusions:
- Veterinarians must carefully interpret infectious disease assay results.
- Understanding assay limitations is essential for accurate diagnosis and patient management.
- Further research may improve the reliability and predictive value of diagnostic assays.
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