Lab Diagnostics: Biochemistry & Infectious Diseases

Course Master(s):

Prof. Saverio Paltrinieri, Dipl. ECVCP (IT)
Dr. Barbara Willi, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM and ECVIM-CA (CH)
Dr. Cristina Perez Vera, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM and ECVIM-CA (ESP)

Course Overview

The week dedicated to “clinical pathology and infectious diseases” will provide the practitioner with a throughout understanding of the most appropriate diagnostic approach to infectious diseases, including the selection of direct tests (i.e., cytology or molecular biology), indirect tests (e.g., serology, including the use of in-house or patient-side kits) and a comprehensive overview of clinico-pathological findings, with special emphasis on clinical chemistry. The combination of the above information is expected to provide the participants with an invaluable tool to solve daily problems related to infectious diseases in pets, using an integrated laboratory approach.
Whenever possible, the clinico-pathological and serological/molecular techniques will be presented through interactive case-based lectures; the participants will be asked to suggest the combination(s) of tests that are necessary to complete the diagnostic workup for cases with suspected infectious diseases. Clinical cases will also provide the opportunity for the lecturers to present slides summarizing the pathogenesis, pathophysiology, clinical and laboratory findings, as well as the recommended diagnostic workup, for each infectious disease. Last but not least, the lecturers of this course are among the most renowned worldwide, and with a very strong track record in small animal infectiology.

Objectives:
At the end of the week, the participant will be able to:

• diagnose frequent and less frequent infectious diseases of dogs and cats;
• provide a list of differential diagnoses for each clinical and laboratory finding that are associated,
• among the other conditions, to infectious diseases;
• select the most appropriate test to confirm or exclude infectious diseases.

Prerequisite:
The week provides cutting-edge knowledge about infectious diseases and clinical pathology of dogs and cats. Any veterinarian that struggles with the interpretation of laboratory findings is expected to benefit from the course.

Course Program (Subject to change)