Biomarkers for neural injury and infection in small animals

Cross-sectional imaging techniques have facilitated diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, there is still frequently a lack of definition of the cause of neurologic lesions, because tissue sampling from the pathologic site is often difficult and there are few clinical diagnostic tools to assist diagnosis. Biomarkers can assist in understanding the cause, diagnosis, severity, and prognosis for neural injury. Integration of conventional testing and new diagnostic techniques will overcome shortcomings in understanding infectious diseases of the CNS. Diagnostic tests may be limited by poor positive and negative predictive values, which must be recognized when interpreting test results.