ELISA

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, testing for the presence of antibody in the test serum directed against known pathogens.  Suspect or borderline results of this testing are submitted to an outside reference laboratory which uses a different source of test antigen.

CHEM

Clinical chemistry determination to detect elevations in specific enzymes or metabolites in the bloodstream.  In the case of LDHV, a significant rise in serum lactate dehydrogenase is suggestive of persistent LDHV infection in the absence of other clinical disease.

NP

Nasopharyngeal culture, generally onto blood agar.  Sample is collected aseptically via tracheotomy.

ENT

Enteric culture, generally onto MacConkey agar or other selective media, which may include appropriate media for microaerophilic culture of Campylobacter or helicobacter spp.. Sample is collected by transection of the appropriate segment of intestine.

ANAER

Enteric or nasopharyngeal culture placed onto pre-reduced selective media and incubated under anaerobic conditions.

PELAGE

An examination of the fur and skin for ectoparasites and other lesions, usually after the skin surface of the carcass has been allowed to cool.

TAPE

A microscopic examination of cellophane tape which is impressed onto the perianal zone to detect deposited ova of Syphacia spp.

MICRO

A wet mount or stained smear examined microscopically to detect motile organisms or protozoal cysts, respectively.

FECAL

Flotation of feces or colon contents to detect helminth ova as well as parasitic protozoal cysts.

HISTO

Histopathology of target tissues to detect the presence of specific pathogens or infectious agents, often employing special stains.  If positive results are obtained, or are suspected based on clinical signs or gross lesions, other methods such as serology or PCR may be used as ancillary tests if available.

PCR

Polymerase chain reaction to amplify the target nucleic acid sequence of the infectious organism to a detectable level.