A real - time polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae

Authors: McDonald WL, McDougall S, Fitzmaurice J, Sewell M, O'Keefe JS, King CM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 56, Issue 5, pp 233-236, Oct 2008
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Goat, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant, Sheep
Subject Terms: Diagnostic procedures, Milk, Bacterial, Disease/defect, Infectious disease
Article class: Short Communication

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Abstract: AIM: To develop a real-time PCR for the detection of Mycoplasma agalactiae, using PCR primers targeting the ma-mp81 gene.
METHODS: A group of 15 M. agalactiae isolates, 21 other Mycoplasma spp. isolates and 21 other bacterial isolates was used in evaluation of the assay.
RESULTS: All M. agalactiae isolates were detected by the assay and none of the non-target isolates was amplified. The analytical detection limit of the assay was 10 fg of purified genomic DNA and 104 cfu/ml milk inoculated with M. agalactiae. When applied to goat-milk samples collected from three herds free of M. agalactiae infection, the assay had a specificity of 100%.
CONCLUSIONS: The assay would be useful in a diagnostic laboratory, providing specific, sensitive and rapid detection of M. agalactiae.
KEY WORDS: Mycoplasma agalactiae, real-time PCR

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