Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 91-101 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 91 Review Article Open Access Molecular Diagnostics: A New Era in Pet Disease Detection Xinghao Li, Jia Xuan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: jia.xuan@jicat.org Bioscience Methods, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0011 Received: 26 Mar., 2024 Accepted: 21 May, 2024 Published: 31 May, 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li and Xuan, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li X.H., and Xuan J., 2024, Molecular diagnostics: a new era in pet disease detection, Bioscience Methods, 15(3): 91-101 (doi: 10.5376/bm.2024.15.0011) Abstract The field of pet disease detection has traditionally relied on conventional diagnostic methods, which, while effective, often lack the sensitivity and specificity required for early and accurate disease identification. The emergence of molecular diagnostics has revolutionized this landscape, offering precise, rapid, and comprehensive tools for detecting a wide range of diseases in pets. This study explores the fundamentals of molecular diagnostics, including key concepts and techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), microarrays, and CRISPR-based diagnostics, highlighting their advantages over traditional methods. We examine the applications of these technologies in the detection of infectious diseases, genetic disorders, oncology, and chronic disease management in pets. The study also delves into recent technological advancements, including improvements in PCR technology, innovations in sequencing platforms, the integration of artificial intelligence, and the development of portable diagnostic tools. Despite the significant promise of molecular diagnostics, challenges such as technical limitations, cost, accessibility, ethical concerns, and regulatory issues remain. A detailed case study illustrates the practical application of these diagnostics in a real-world veterinary scenario, offering insights into outcomes and future directions. Finally, we discuss the future potential of molecular diagnostics in personalized veterinary medicine, its integration with telemedicine, and its role in preventive care. This study underscores the transformative impact of molecular diagnostics on veterinary practice and calls for further research to overcome existing challenges and fully realize its potential. Keywords Molecular diagnostics; Pet disease detection; Veterinary oncology; Genetic screening; Preventive veterinary medicine 1 Introduction Traditionally, the detection of diseases in pets has relied heavily on clinical signs, physical examinations, and a variety of laboratory tests such as blood work, urinalysis, and imaging techniques like X-rays and ultrasounds. These methods, while useful, often lack the sensitivity and specificity required for early and accurate diagnosis. For instance, imaging techniques like CT and MRI primarily detect anatomical changes, which may not appear until the disease has progressed significantly (Phelps, 2000). Additionally, traditional diagnostic methods can be time-consuming and may not always provide a definitive diagnosis, leading to delays in treatment and potentially poorer outcomes for the pet. The advent of molecular diagnostics has revolutionized the field of veterinary medicine by providing tools that can detect diseases at a molecular level, often before clinical signs become apparent. Techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), next-generation sequencing, and positron emission tomography (PET) have significantly improved the sensitivity and specificity of disease detection (Daniels, 2013; Granberg et al., 2014). Molecular diagnostics allow for the identification of pathogens, genetic mutations, and other molecular markers associated with disease, enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis. For example, PET imaging can detect metabolic abnormalities in diseases like cancer and neurological disorders long before anatomical changes are visible (Phelps, 2000; Sala and Perani, 2019). Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial in veterinary medicine as it can significantly improve the prognosis and quality of life for pets. Early detection allows for timely intervention, which can prevent the progression of the disease and reduce the severity of symptoms. Accurate diagnosis ensures that the appropriate treatment is administered, thereby increasing the chances of successful outcomes. Molecular diagnostics play a vital role in this regard by providing precise and early detection of diseases, which is particularly important for conditions that are difficult to diagnose using traditional methods (Daniels, 2013; Arora et al., 2023). For instance, the use of
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