HERD HEALTH: Oral fluids for diagnostic tests – a progress report

Research suggests that, while they may not be suitable for an accurate, immediate diagnosis of an acute or new infection, they seem well suited for disease surveillance and field studies

by S. ERNEST SANFORD

Since I made my initial report on using oral fluids (saliva) to replace or reduce the dependence on blood samples for diagnostic tests (Better Pork, October 2006), this technique has progressed. It is now at the point where it is being tested and tried in the field by veterinarians, who hope eventually to use it as a routine tool.

Better Pork - June 2009