Diagnostic/Screening Test Evaluation Flashcards
What is a test? What are some examples?
process or device designed to detect clinical signs, substance/agent, tissue change, or body response
physical exam, hematology, serology, biochemistry, histopathology
What is the difference between accuracy and precision?
ACCURACY = the ability of a test to come to the true value (“hitting the bullseye”)
PRECISION = ability of a test to give repeatable results
What is analytical sensitivity and specificity?
SENSITIVITY = lowest concentration the test can detect, limit of detection
SPECIFICITY = degree of cross-reactivity with non-target agents; high specificity = only detect target agent
(all in a lab environment)
What are the requirements of diagnostic test evaluation?
- test will detect diseased animals correctly
- test will detect non-diseased animals correctly
What is diagnostic sensitivity and specificity?
SENSITIVITY = probability of a positive test given that the animal is diseased
SPECIFICITY = probability of a negative test, given the animal is non-diseased
What is a gold standard?
test or procedure that is absolutely accurate (still not perfect) - as close as we can get
- histopathological and microbiological examination of small intestine for Johne’s
- immunofluorescence antibody test for rabies
What 4 components are typically needed to properly diagnose disease?
- identification of agent - culture, PCR, molecular confirmation, antigen
- histological changes consistent with disease
- presence of specific antibodies
- clinical signs of exposure to agent
Where do healthy (non-diseased) animals often come from?
naive populations free from certain agents
Sensitivity and specificity is not often reported by manufacturers of diagnostic tests. How are they recorded?
independent studies report values in certain populations —> further determined by carrying out specially designed studies from OIE guidelines
How is the definition of diseased and non-diseased determined in diagnostic tests with continuous scales?
determination of cut-off values to assign +ve and -ve status
(continuous scales - ELISA optical density, glucose, ALT, ALP, creatinine, BUN, cell counts)
When do tests on a continuous scale develop false positives?
cutoff miscalculates healthy animals as diseased
When do tests on a continuous scale develop false negatives?
cutoff miscalculates diseased animals as healthy
When are tests on a continuous scale considered a gold standard?
cutoff does not miscalculate diseased and healthy anmals
What is the sensitivity and specificity of this test like?
not very accurate with a lot of overlap for false positives and negatives - may not be worth time or money
What is the classic presentation of diagnostic test values? How is sensitivity and specificity calculated?
2x2 tables
a = true pos
b = false pos
c = false neg
d = true neg
How is accuracy calculated based on 2x2 tables?
diagonal