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Assessing the validity of serodiagnostic test results
1Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Seminars in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (Small Animal)
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Veterinarians must validate serological test results from laboratories and kits to avoid misdiagnoses. Proper interpretation, considering pre-test probability and predictive values, ensures accurate clinical diagnoses for animal patients.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary diagnostics
- Clinical pathology
- Animal health testing
Background:
- Questionable serological results can lead to veterinary misdiagnoses.
- Commercial laboratory assays and USDA-licensed test kits may not always be fully validated or accurate.
- Veterinary test interpretation requires careful consideration beyond the raw result.
Purpose of the Study:
- To guide veterinarians in verifying the accuracy of serological testing.
- To emphasize the importance of assay validation and proper result interpretation.
- To provide methods for ensuring reliable clinical diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Assessing the validation status of diagnostic assays.
- Evaluating the performance of commercial testing laboratories and kits.
- Interpreting test results using pre-test probability and predictive values.
Main Results:
- Not all commercial assays or USDA-licensed kits are guaranteed to be accurate.
- Misclassification of disease status can occur if results are not interpreted correctly.
- Veterinarians need to actively verify test adequacy and interpret results contextually.
Conclusions:
- Veterinarians must proactively ascertain assay validation and performance.
- Interpreting serological results within the context of predictive values is crucial.
- Implementing these practices leads to more reasoned and accurate clinical diagnoses.