Veterinary professionals recognize the significance of antibody titer testing in managing puppy immunization. This approach helps ensure effective vaccination while minimizing unnecessary shots for adult dogs. By evaluating antibody levels, veterinarians can confirm immunity against diseases like canine parvovirus (CPV-2), canine distemper virus (CDV), and canine adenovirus (CAV-1 and/or -2). This practice not only enhances animal welfare but also reduces costs associated with over-vaccination.
Evaluation of Point-of-Care Tests
A recent study encompasses evaluations focused on three commercially available point-of-care tests (POCTs) for detecting antibodies against CPV-2, CDV, and CAV. These tests were compared to the reference virus neutralization (VN) assay, which has long served as the gold standard. Sera from 200 client-owned dogs and 60 specific pathogen-free (SPF) dogs were tested. The results showed high sensitivity (79.0–100%) and specificity (97.8–100%) for CPV-2 across all three POCTs.
Specificity and Sensitivity of POCTs
The three POCTs exhibited varying levels of specificity and sensitivity for CDV and CAV. POCT-1 and POCT-2 demonstrated high sensitivity for CDV (98.7%) but lower specificity (43.5% and 42.4%, respectively). POCT-3 showed improved specificity for CDV (94.1%) but struggled with sensitivity (17.4%). Such discrepancies underscore the need for careful interpretation of results, especially when assessing immunity.
Implications for Clinical Practice
Veterinarians must consider the limitations of these POCTs in their clinical practice. POCT-1 reliably detected maternally derived antibodies (MDA) for CPV-2, while the other two tests did not perform as well. Misclassifying unprotected dogs as immune poses a significant risk, leading to potential outbreaks. False negatives from POCT-3 could result in unnecessary vaccinations.
Recommendations for Future Use
Veterinary professionals should integrate antibody titer testing into their vaccination protocols. Regularly assessing immunity can enhance vaccination strategies and promote better health outcomes. Further optimization of all three POCTs for CDV and CAV is essential to improve their reliability.
Antibody titer testing provides a valuable tool for veterinary professionals. It allows for informed vaccination decisions while ensuring the health of dogs. As we move forward, incorporating these tests into routine practice can lead to improved outcomes for canine patients.
