Application and prospects of veterinary diagnostic techniques in laboratory monkeys

As the non-human primate models with the closest genetic relationship to humans, laboratory monkeys are indispensable in life sciences research, drug development, and biological product evaluation. However, infectious diseases either endemic in laboratory monkey colonies or acquired during breeding and husbandry-for example, B virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis-threaten animal welfare and colony security, while also elevating zoonotic transmission risks and compromising the reliability of research data. The diversity, complexity, and clinically insidious nature of diseases in laboratory monkeys impose stringent demands on veterinary diagnostic capabilities. This review summarizes the current status and recent advances in mainstream veterinary diagnostic techniques applied to laboratory monkey disease surveillance. We analyze the specific applications, strengths, and limitations of molecular, immunological, imaging, and conventional microbiological methods for detecting major viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens of laboratory monkeys, covering quantitative PCR (qPCR), CRISPR-based assays, ELISA, IFA/IHC, and other established platforms. By comparing these techniques across sensitivity, specificity, cost-effectiveness, and operational feasibility, we delineate their suitability for distinct use cases: high-precision laboratory testing, large-scale colony screening, and point-of-care clinical diagnosis. Current veterinary diagnostic assays for laboratory monkeys achieve robust analytical performance. In several studies, qPCR delivers 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for B virus detection, digital PCR (dPCR) attains a limit of detection as low as 45 copies/ml for monkeypox virus; and CRISPR/Cas-based assays have demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in clinical validation cohorts. Building on these advances, we further identify practical bottlenecks in diagnostic deployment and propose targeted countermeasures. Finally, we explore emerging trends and application prospects for point-of-care testing, multiplex pathogen detection, and artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis, which collectively support the development of accurate, efficient, and intelligent disease diagnostics for laboratory monkeys. This work aims to provide a theoretical and practical reference for clinical practice and scientific research focused on laboratory monkey disease prevention and control.