Mastitis pathogen identification using polymerase chain reaction in New Zealand milk samples : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

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dc.contributor.authorSteele, Nicole M.
dc.date.accessioned2015-07-26T23:04:13Z
dc.date.available2015-07-26T23:04:13Z
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractRapid identification of the pathogen responsible for an intramammary infection in a dairy cow can support mastitis management decisions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become available to identify mastitis pathogens in milk, offering a rapid and sensitive test. The performance of a commercial, real-time PCR assay (PathoProof Complete-12 Mastitis PCR assay; Thermo Fisher Scientific Ltd., Vantaa, Finland) was compared with traditional bacterial culture for the identification of the most frequent pathogens in New Zealand, Streptococcus uberis and Staphylococcus aureus, during three stages of lactation. Aseptically collected quarter milk samples were analysed by culture and a subset (n=343) selected for PCR analysis based on infection status in culture. Using culture as the reference test, PCR had a relative sensitivity and specificity of 86.8%, and 87.7% (kappa=0.74) for detecting S. uberis and 96.4% and 99.7% (kappa = 0.96) for detecting S. aureus. Relative sensitivity for detecting S. uberis was similar throughout lactation whereas relative specificity was lower at the first milking post-calving (64%) and higher in mid-late lactation (97.7%). Initial validation of the PCR assay identified issues in S. uberis detection, particularly when milk samples were from freshly calved cows or from cows whose milk contained clots indicating clinical mastitis. Dilution of some colostrum and some clinical samples was required for detection of bacteria by PCR, due to the presence of PCR inhibitors in the milk. The PCR assay used in this study is not recommended for mastitis pathogen identification in early lactation as the majority of infections caused by S. uberis occur in the first month of lactation. PCR testing offers a number of opportunities and advantages to improve udder health and milk quality but for uptake in New Zealand, development is required to better suit colostrum samples. Greater clarity is required regarding the interpretation of PCR results and the use of information from such tests for decision-making.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/6892
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectMastitisen_US
dc.subjectMastitis pathogensen_US
dc.subjectStreptococcus uberisen_US
dc.subjectStaphylococcus aureusen_US
dc.subjectLactationen_US
dc.subjectMilk analysisen_US
dc.titleMastitis pathogen identification using polymerase chain reaction in New Zealand milk samples : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealanden_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorSteele, Nicole M.en_US
thesis.degree.disciplineAnimal Scienceen_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.Sc.)en_US
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