What term best describes methods used to detect early-stage infections of bacteria, viruses, or parasites?

Health surveillance refers to the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data that is essential for planning, implementing, and evaluating public health practices. It encompasses the monitoring of diseases, including early detection of infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. This proactive approach allows for timely interventions and effective disease management, especially in laboratory settings where the health of both animals and research outcomes can be significantly affected by the presence of infections.

Clinical trials focus on evaluating the efficacy and safety of new treatments or interventions rather than the early detection of infections. Molecular diagnosis involves techniques that identify pathogens at the genetic level, which is indeed a crucial aspect of detecting infections but is more specialized than the broader concept of health surveillance. Immunohistochemistry is a technique used to detect specific antigens in cells or tissues, primarily employed for diagnostic purposes in histology, rather than for ongoing health monitoring. Thus, health surveillance best encompasses the comprehensive methods used to detect early-stage infections.