University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine > DVM Resources > Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory > Microbiology

Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Microbiology

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The Microbiology staff can perform a variety of cultures as well as susceptibility assays using host and pathogen specific minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) susceptibility panels. Panels include those for companion animals, food animals and horses.  Additional panels are designed for urinary, mastitis, anaerobic or very resistant pathogens. Quarter, composite and bulk tank milk cultures are offered as an aid in mastitis control.

[lab tech plates isolates]

Within 90 minutes the biotyper can identify as many as 95 bacteria, yeast, or fungi from isolated colonies.

In 2015 the service added a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry Biotyper® (Bruker Daltronics, Inc.), which identifies as many as 95 bacteria, yeast, or fungi within 90 minutes from isolated colonies.

Full-service Mycology testing is offered with an option of MIC testing of yeast or rapidly-growing filamentous fungi.  A Mycobacterium MIC panel is available for rapidly-growing Mycobacterium sp. and Nocardia sp. Staff will also gladly work with DVMs to test susceptibilities to individual drug(s) of choice using disk diffusion or E-Tests™.

Specialized culture procedures include testing for Brucella, Campylobacter, Shigella and Yersinia.  Enrichment procedures and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are performed for detection of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia and Mycoplasma.

Staff also performs PCR for toxin typing of Clostridium perfringens, virulence testing of E. coli and detection and typing of Streptococcus equi. We utilize combinations of PCR and 16S rRNA gene or other DNA sequencing to identify difficult to culture organisms including Mycobacteria sp. and intracellular pathogens.

The lab staff will also freeze isolates for long-term storage and shipment for bacterin production or additional typing as requested.

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