Combined screening strategy to reduce the numbers of sentinel animals used whilst maintaining confidence in results

摘要

In recent times, there has been a considerable focus on Polymerase Chain Reaction/Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR/RT-PCR) being sold as the "Gold Standard" in laboratory animal health monitoring. This however is sadly not the case. Whilst these molecular screening methods are very useful in the right situation, the use of PCR alone in the context of animal disease detection does not provide all the information required (as with any method, when usedon its own, any limitations or "gaps" in data can potentially cause problems). What we propose here is a combined approach to LA Health monitoring where both the "traditional" methods (serology, microbiological culture and microscopy) are used alongsidenon-lethal serology and molecular methods to give added confidence in results and a more rounded picture of a colony's health status, whilst at the same time allowing a significant reduction in the number of sentinel animals used.