Laboratory Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

This chapter describes general concepts of diagnosis of viral, bacterial, protozoal and arthropod-borne, and fungal infectious diseases with an overview of the most common diagnostic methods employed for these infections. It discusses specific diagnostic features of common infectious diseases in dogs and cats, geographic distribution, main transmission modes, chief clinical signs, clinicopathologic abnormalities, treatment, prognosis, and prevention. The most commonly employed techniques for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in small animals include microscopic examination of microorganisms in cytologic preparations or histopathologic specimens, serology, polymerase chain reaction, and culture of the organism in appropriate medium are also described. The chapter lists the advantages and disadvantages of these diagnostic techniques. It outlines sample collection, transport, and preservation of specimens for the different diagnostic tests and pathogens.