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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th February 2013
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New PCR test for bovine mycoplasma
qPCR test to improve diagnosis of mycoplasma bovis

A new qPCR test has been made available to improve the diagnosis of mastitis and respiratory disease caused by bovine mycoplasma.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit is reportedly based on a new target gene in the Mycoplasma Bovis (M. bovis) genome. It will therefore be easier to distinguish between infections caused by M. bovis and M. agalactiae, reducing the risk of false positives, and allowing for improved sensitivity and specificity.

The test system is also said to incorporate a number of improvements which simplify and speed up processing in the laboratory, including automatic extraction using magnetic bead technology.

The new test is based on real-time PCR technology, delivering results in two and a half hours. Speaking of the launch of the new test, Eric Sellal, Head of Animal Health EMEA at Life Technologies said: "The improved sensitivity of this new test means that veterinarians will be able to monitor dairy herds for sub-clinical infection using samples from the bulk tank.

"And of course it can also be used to diagnose mycoplasma infection in individual cases of clinical mastitis and respiratory disease," he adds.

Estimates suggest that bovine pneumonia costs the European industry around €500 million every year, with 30 per cent of this down to M. bovis. The organism is also associated with other disease including mastitis and arthritis. As mycoplasma is slow and difficult to culture in the laboratory, and current antibiotic treatment is not very cost-effective, prevention is a cornerstone of M. bovis management.

The TaqVet Mycoplasma Bovis PCR kit will be made available in other EU countries and via Life Technologies Animal Health distributors according to local regulatory requirements.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.