Mastitis diagnostics: Quantitative PCR for Staphylococcus aureus genotype B in bulk tank milk
Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: A novel real-time quantitative PCR assay for detecting the pathogenic and contagious Staphylococcus aureus genotype B (GTB) in bulk tank milk was developed and evaluated. The detection of this pathogen in bulk tank milk would greatly facilitate its control, as it is responsible for great economic loss in Swiss dairy herds. The assay is based on the simultaneous detection of 3 GTB-typical target sequences, including 2 enterotoxin genes and a polymorphism within the leucotoxin E gene. A variety of mastitis-associated bacteria was used to validate the assays, resulting in an analytical specificity of 100% and high repeatability. The analytical sensitivity in milk was 40 cfu/mL. An exponential association between simulated cow prevalence and quantitative PCR result was observed. An initial field study revealed 1 GTB-positive herd among the 33 studied herds. This novel assay for bulk tank milk analysis is suitable for routine purposes and is expected to be an effective tool for minimizing Staph. aureus GTB in Swiss dairy herds.
Source: Journal of Dairy Science
Authors: R. Boss, J. Naskova, A. Steiner, H.U. Graber
Institutions: University of Bern, Agroscope
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2054943597