Bacteriology

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Specimens for bacteriology should be collected as soon after the death of the animal as possible and as aseptically as possible. They should be placed in heat-sterilized containers or sterile plastic bags and sealed tightly. Do not use plastic gloves or sleeves. Do not chemically treat containers for shipping specimens. Sterile tubes for mastitis cultures are available from the laboratory.

Include a representative portion of the tissues and include any lesions that may be present.

Place samples of body organs in containers separate from intestine or stomach. This prevents contamination by leakage of the intestinal contents. It is best to collect specimens of other organs for bacterial culture before opening the gastrointestinal tract. For culturing, submit a 4-6" section and don't open the intestine.

Fluids from body cavities, heart sac, joints, etc., are best collected with a sterile swab with transport media and submitted in a sealed, sterile tube or aspirated into a sterile disposable syringe.

Except for slaughter specimens to be cultured for Brucella sp., freezing is undesirable. Adequate refrigeration should accompany specimens so they reach the laboratory still chilled.