Abstract :
The purpose of this review was to discuss the history of the development and implementation
of oral fluid diagnostics for infectious diseases of humans and domestic animals. The use
of oral fluid for the assessment of health and diagnosis of disease in humans and animals
has a surprisingly long history. As early as 1909, Pollaci and Ceraulo reported sensitive
and specific agglutination of ‘Micrococcus melitensis’ (Brucella melitensis) by oral fluid
from patients diagnosed with Malta Fever. A 1986 report of the detection of antibodies
against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in oral fluid from patients with acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) marked the start of a remarkably rapid series of
developments in oral fluid-based assays. Cumulatively, the literature strongly supports
implementation of oral fluid-based diagnostics in veterinary diagnostic medicine. Pathogenspecific
IgA, IgM and IgG antibodies have all been demonstrated in oral fluid collected
from diverse domestic animal species in response to infection. A variety of infectious agents,
both local and systemic, are shed in oral fluid, including some of the most economically
significant pathogens of production animals (e.g. foot-and-mouth disease virus, classical
swine fever virus and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus) Ultimately,
point-of-care rapid assays (i.e. cow-side, sow-side or pen-side tests) and access to realtime
infectious disease data will revolutionize our delivery of health management
services.
