Immunodiagnostic testing in horses

Immunodiagnostic tools are valuable aids in the diagnosis and management of a wide variety of diseases and syndromes, including infectious diseases, i mmunodeficiency disorders, immunohematologic and autoimmune disorders, and hypersensitivity disorders. To maximize the usefulness of these tools in id entifying and managing equine diseases, one must be able to appreciate the vast array of available tools, use these tools properly, and appropriately interpret the information they provide. This article contains diagrammatic explanations of immunodiagnostic tests framed within posed diagnostic quest ions using examples of diseases in which these tests are used appropriately . Using an understanding of the questions answered by the tests and the lim itations that constrain the questions' use, these tests can serve as valuab le aids in the diagnosis and management of equine diseases.