New PCR test for bovine mycoplasma
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.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
