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New diagnostic tool for the detection and quantification of pathogenic bacteria in bovine milk samples from dairy farms in the UK

Publications
Cattle
Authors

Targa, A.; Gomez, A.; Zalduendo, D.

FTA Card milk sample for PCR-RT testing (STARTCHECK®) is a good diagnostic tool to identify pathogenic bacteria present in milk samples. The high specificity and sensitivity circumvents limitations experienced with bacteriology. Compared with worldwide data, it should be noted that the presence of Staphilococcus aureus in UK samples (22%) is higher than samples obtained from other countries (6-10%). Further data will be discussed in more detail during the WBC congress.

The use of an FTA card for PCR-RT testing of a milk sample (STARTCHECK®) is a reliable diagnostic tool. This new methodology enables the collection and conservation of the sample and the detection of major mastitis causative agents. PCR-RT testing (STARTCHECK®) can be used to complement Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and bacteriological culture to monitor mastitis at a herd level. This tool (STARTCHECK®) has been used worldwide since 2009 and milk samples from 44 different countries have been analysed. The aim of this study is to show the results obtained in the UK dairy farms.

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