The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) requires that the following criteria be met for inclusion of any data in its disease prevalence maps:

Antibody tests for tick-borne disease agents (Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia spp., and Anaplasma spp.)

A minimum sensitivity of 90% and a minimum specificity of 90% are required for all canine tick-borne disease antibody assays. To include the data on the map, CAPC also requires that the test employed be externally validated via approval by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Information regarding USDA regulation of diagnostic tests can be found at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/vet_biologics/publications/pel_4_7.pdf

Antigen tests for heartworm

A minimum sensitivity of 90% and a minimum specificity of 90% are required for all canine heartworm antigen tests. Because the sensitivity of some heartworm antigen tests declines at lower worm burdens, the 90% sensitivity requirement applies only when three or more adult female worms are present. To include the data on the map, CAPC requires that the test employed be approved by the USDA, as for the tick-borne disease diagnostics described above.

Intestinal parasites

The fecal parasite data is acquired for the maps via:

1. Fecal centrifugation following CAPC described methods and read by properly trained personnel.
2. Other technologies with peer-reviewed publications that demonstrate a qualitative match in comparison with conventional O & P.

The CAPC board will ultimately approve which test data is included.

For additional information on interpreting the maps more accurately, please see the related article Understanding the Maps – Key Factors that Influence the Results.