Mastitis Pathogen RT-PCR Panel
A mastitis pathogen RT-PCR panel checks a quarter milk sample for the DNA of common mastitis germs, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species and E. coli. It can find several organisms at once, but it does not show which antibiotics may work.
- Sample
- Aseptic quarter milk sample
- Quantity
- As advised
- Report
- Confirmed when you book
- Collection
- Free in Bhopal
What this test checks
- DNA of common mastitis bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species and E. coli
- Several organisms at once from one quarter milk sample, as listed on the booked panel
- Organisms that may be slow or hard to grow in culture, where the panel includes them
- Germ DNA that can still be found when a culture shows no growth
Benefits of this test
- Checks for several common mastitis organisms from one milk sample.
- Can find germs that do not grow well in a routine culture.
- May still detect a germ's DNA when a culture shows no growth, for example after treatment has started.
- Helps your vet tell germs that spread at milking from those that come from the surroundings.
- Useful for herd problems where many animals have mastitis and the cause is unclear.
When your vet may advise it
- Repeat or long-lasting mastitis where a culture has shown no growth.
- A herd with many cases of mastitis and no clear cause.
- Quarters with a high cell count or CMT score, when your vet wants to know which germ is present.
- When your vet suspects a germ that is hard to grow in culture.
- Checking a newly bought milking animal, if your vet advises it.
About this test
A mastitis pathogen PCR panel is a test that looks for the genetic material (DNA) of germs that commonly cause mastitis, all from one milk sample. PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. It copies tiny pieces of a germ's DNA many times over until there is enough to detect. Because each germ has its own DNA, the test can show which organisms are present in milk from a cow or buffalo.
The panel typically covers common mastitis bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species and E. coli. Depending on the panel, it may also include organisms that are slow or hard to grow in a culture. The exact list is confirmed when you book. PCR can find a germ's DNA even when the germ does not grow on a culture plate, for example after an antibiotic has been given. This can be useful, but it also means a positive result does not always prove that live germs are causing disease.
PCR does not show which antibiotics may work. When your vet needs that, a milk culture and sensitivity test is used instead of, or as well as, the PCR. Because PCR is so sensitive, the milk must be collected cleanly from the quarter, so that germs from the skin, hands or air do not get into the tube. A registered veterinarian reads the result with the animal's signs, cell count and history. The result is for the owner's and vet's information and is not an official milk-quality test.
How to prepare
Your vet or a trained person should clean the teat end with spirit, throw away the first streams and milk the chosen quarter into a sterile tube, ideally before any antibiotic, then keep it chilled. The lab confirms the method, sample needs and reporting time when you book.
Reading the result
A registered veterinarian reads the result with the animal's signs, cell count and history. PCR finds DNA, so a positive result does not always mean live germs are causing disease, and germs from the skin can get into a carelessly taken sample. A negative result does not rule out germs that are not on the panel. PCR does not show antibiotic sensitivity, so your vet may add a culture.
Questions about Mastitis Pathogen RT-PCR Panel
What is a mastitis PCR test?
Is a mastitis PCR better than a milk culture?
Does the mastitis PCR panel show which antibiotic to use?
Can PCR find mastitis germs in buffalo milk?
Before you book this test
Why this notice: so you know, before you book, how a test is done, what its limits are and who is responsible.
- Where it is tested. Some tests are done wholly or partly by an independent partner laboratory. The lab tells you before booking if this test is sent out, and the report names the laboratory that did it.
- What a result can and cannot tell you. No test is right every time. A normal result does not rule out every disease, and an abnormal result does not prove one. A registered veterinarian should read the report with the animal’s signs and history before any treatment is started, changed or stopped.
- The sample. A sample that is clotted, too small, wrongly labelled, leaking or too old may be rejected or reported with a note, and the lab may ask for a fresh one.
- Reporting time. Confirmed when you book. Times are estimates, not guarantees, and the lab confirms the time when you book.
- Emergencies. A booking or a pending report must not delay urgent care. If an animal has collapsed, struggles to breathe, has fits or bleeds heavily, call a veterinarian at once.
Please read our Terms of Service, Medical Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and Refund and Cancellation Policy. Pashupatinath Vet Lab is operated by Duaji Healthcare and Tech Private Limited. This page is general information and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice.
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Mastitis Pathogen RT-PCR Panel: Bhopal and the big cities of Madhya Pradesh
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