Testing for vector-borne pathogens in dogs: the best use of diagnostic panels

摘要

Serologic and PCR panels can help identify infection with vector-borne disease agents. So which panel should youchoose Maybe both.Most serologic tests document infection indirectly bydetecting antibodies to the infectious agent. Demonstrating the presence of antibody indicates exposure but does not necessarily indicate active infection.PCR makes it possible to directly test for the presence of multiple organisms with high sensitivity and specificity, assuming appropriate laboratory controls are in place. However, organisms are not always circulating in blood in high enough numbers to be present in a blood sample at the time clinical signs occur.