Lab mastitis and milk quality (M-lab)

Laboratory analysis

The M-team disposes of its own lab for routine bacteriological culturing of milk samples from cows with either subclinical or clinical mastitis. Additional to routine bacteriological culturing, the M-team has all possibilities to type the different strains within a bacterial species by use of the molecular technique RAPD. Routine bacteriological culturing allows us to distinguish the different mastitis causing pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis. Still, every single bacterial species has its own fingerprint. This fingerprint can be visualized as a barcode by means of molecular techniques (= strain typing) and can be very helpful in the approach of udder health and milk quality problems on dairy farms.

This novel molecular approach allows us to

 Distinguish contagious from environmental problems

• Distinguish non-cured from new infections
• Identify the point source of infection (e.g. teat liners, cloths, hands, bedding material,…).