Biomarkers in Pneumonia

Presentation Description / Summary: Serum biomarkers are gaining popularity as a non-invasive option for monitoring the presence of disease and the response to therapy. The availability and vast armamentarium of biomarkers in human medicine has changed the landscape of human pulmonology/ respirology. Pulmonary disease is particularly relevant for biomarkers as standard diagnostic imaging (i.e. thoracic radiographs) are non-specific and often lag behind progression and/or regression of the infectious disease state. Plus, the utility of biomarkers can be used to reduce the need for invasive diagnostic testing and allow an avenue for treatment monitoring. This presentation will highlight the common serum biomarkers used in human pulmonology for bacterial pneumonia with a comparison to the available data in the veterinary literature. The merits and limilations of these biomarkers will be discussed with possible future directions for biomarkers in the veterinary patient.