PHC 6 - serological testing

Question 1

What are POC?

Answer 1

• Commercially available lab and in-practice/point of care (POC diagnostic kits that can detect antibodies against CDV, CPV, and CAV in dogs and FPV in cats

Lab testing: provide a numerical result that can be compared to reference ranges or a “protective titre = is an amount or concentration of antibody against ds X in blood sufficient to protect an animal from ds X. Protective titre reference ranges do exist… historically contentious confusing and inconsistent.

POC kits: provide a rapid result, P or N. Positive indicates protective levels of antibody.

Question 2

What does presence of serum antibody provide?

Answer 2

The presence of serum antibody provides evidence of an active humoral immune response, which is likely to indicate protection against disease.

Question 3

Does absence of antibody or detectable antibody mean animal is automatically susceptible to disease?

Answer 3

The absence of antibody or detectable antibody does not mean the animal is automatically susceptible to disease. Since cellular and innate immunity are not evaluated in antibody detection kits and many animals are thought to be well protected by immunological memory in the absence of detectable serum antibody

Question 4

When would you choose serological testing over vaccination?

Answer 4

• Patient has reacted to vaccination in the past
  
  • Client has strong objections/opinion about vaccination, perhaps a vaccine hesitancy.
  • Provide client with an alternative
  • Choose a POC antibody test that has been well validated/compare with laboratory testing.
  • Published data on validating/comparing POC tests is scant. Lab testing may be better way to go
  • Watch this space —- discussions will evolve as vaccine technology advances and testing options improve.

Question 5

What is vaccine hesitancy?

Answer 5

• WHO - delay in acceptance or refusal of safe vaccines despite availability of vaccination services.
  
  • Vaccine hesitancy was listed as one of the top 10 threats to global human health in 2019. A statement that was made pre pandemic
  • Most recently, the apparent reluctance to speak about vaccines has been included in the definition.
  • Based on WHO, vaccine hesitancy can cause aspects such as negative beliefs, myths, mistrust, misinformation in healthcare system.
    ○ Role of influential leaders, costs, geographical barriers, and concerns over safety.
    ○ Not just human health issue