Issue link: http://life-technologies.uberflip.com/i/339029
2 Life Technologies | Animal Health Detection of pathogens by microscopy—Some protozoa and several helminth parasites or their eggs, e.g., Ascaris suis, Balantidum coli, Strongyloides ransomi, Isospora suis, Oesophagostomum dentatum, Trichuris suis, as well as some viruses, e.g., rotaviruses, coronaviruses, etc., can be suspected or identified by using different microscopy techniques with tissue samples of the small and large intestine. Submission of other tissue samples to microscopy for the identification of pathogens is possible, but seldom performed. Detection of pathogens by cultural testing—Tissue samples can be tested by culture for the presence of a range of bacterial respiratory, enteric, reproductive, and/or systemic pathogens. All bacteria that can be isolated from other samples, e.g., BALF, feces, nasal swabs, synovia, can also be isolated from the corresponding tissue. Detection of pathogen RNA/DNA by PCR-based tests—The presence of pathogens can be confirmed in various tissues. However, the detection of several ubiquitous bacteria and viruses alone with highly sensitive PCR techniques does not confirm its relevance in clinical disease. Animal selection Deciding which animals to take samples from depends on the desired outcome: Cause of death—Take tissue samples from pigs that died spontaneously. Be aware of autolysis, which precludes from examination pigs that have died more than 24 hours earlier. Cause of disease—Take tissue samples from pigs that show the typical symptoms of the particular disease, preferably in the acute phase. Do not take samples from pigs showing stunted growth as the only sign, or from pigs showing additional signs of another disease that is of minor interest. Diagnostic use