Understanding and interpreting a PRRS diagnosis in the context of “disease stages”

Abstract

The article discusses issues related to the effectiveness of diagnostics of persistent infections. Using PRRS as an example, the relationship between “disease stages” and “diagnostic stages” is discussed on the basis of a meta-analysis of data from diagnostic studies (n = 4307 results) presented in refereed scientific papers to understand the key points. Despite the ongoing improvement of diagnostic methods, none of them individually can be recognized as the only correct decision: the choice of the type of sample and test for research depends on the specific task. In most cases, to establish the true picture of an epizootic, it is necessary to use several research methods and / or types of samples.