Laboratory Handbook on Bovine Mastitis, 3rd Edition

By National Mastitis Council (NMC)

Laboratory Handbook on Bovine Mastitis 3rd Edition PDF. A 148-page book for laboratory diagnosticians, veterinarians, educators, students, researchers, technical specialists and dairy producers, it discusses the basic theories of microbial culture, mastitis diagnosis and pathogens, laboratory procedures and molecular pathogen diagnosis methods. Previous editions were published in 1987 and 1999.

The new Chapter 4 addresses molecular techniques. These techniques are the most recent development in pathogen diagnosis and are becoming more accurate in identifying causative organisms by genus and species, as well as strain type. Mycoplasmas are now discussed in their own chapter – Chapter 8 – instead of with miscellaneous organisms. And, the new Chapter 12 covers on-farm culture systems.

Users of the previous edition will find the current book’s format similar to the second edition. Microbial culture remains the backbone of mastitis diagnosis. Consequently, microbial culture methods are discussed and have been updated when appropriate. The book addresses the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques in terms of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of detection, cost and turnaround time.

The Laboratory Handbook on Bovine Mastitis includes information, photographs and illustrations, regarding sample collection and handling, diagnostic equipment and materials, diagnostic procedures, molecular diagnostics, mastitis pathogens, somatic cell count, bulk tank culture and on-farm culture. Also, the book contains appendices on general isolation media, mycoplasma medium and testing procedures, other media, testing procedures and stains.