Pasteurella multocida

Test code: B0045 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of Pasteurella multocida by real time PCR

Pasteurella bacteria are small, nonmotile, gram-negative, bi-polar-staining bacilli that can be easily identified in many dog and cat bite wounds. These organisms normally inhabit the nasal, gingival, and tonsillar regions of many dogs and most cats, as well as those of many other animals.

Pasteurella secretes an endotoxin that changes the properties of pulmonary surfactant, thereby altering pulmonary mechanics and gas exchange. Once pneumonia develops, it may be slow to resolve and abscesses or pleuritis may develop.

Pasteurella multocida is the most common respiratory pathogen in the domestic rabbit. Infection with the bacteria can result in rhinitis, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, abscesses, genital tract infections, and septicemia. The bacteria can be transmitted via aerosol or contact, either directly or through fomites, with an infected rabbit. P. multocida initially colonizes the pharynx and then moves to the nasal cavity and surrounding tissue, with possible spread to the rest of the body. Colonization of the nasal cavity may take two weeks to occur, after which time clinical signs may or may not appear. Once rabbits are infected, they become carriers without exhibiting clinical signs.

Traditionally, diagnosis of Pasteurella was based on clinical findings, culture and/ or serological testing. Although culture identification methods are definitive, they are time consuming and costly. False negative culture results are frequently observed due to the fact that P. multocida dies easily during transport to the laboratory or is overgrown by other bacteria (nasal flora or contaminants) in the culture. Serology has been used when infection is suspected in organs for which cultures are not attainable, or when culturing has yielded no results. However, a serology positive to P. multocida can indicate either current infection or previous exposure to the organism. Because many animals have been exposed to this organism, a current diagnosis of pasteurellosis cannot be based on serologic results alone. Molecular detection by PCR offers a more sensitive, specific and timely method for detecting Pasteurella and confirming infection (Miflin and Blackall, 2001).

Utilities:

• Confirm the disease causing agent
• Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Pasteurella
• Ensure that animal facilities are free of Pasteurella
• Early prevention of spread of Pasteurella among a facility
• Minimize personnel exposure to Pasteurella
• Safety monitoring of biological products that derive from susceptible animals

References:
Miflin, J. K. and Blackall, P. J. (2001) Development of a 23 S rRNA-based PCR assay for the identification of Pasteurella multocida. Lett. Appl. Microbiol. 33: 216–221.

Specimen requirements: Nasopharyngeal swab or 0.5 ml whole blood in EDTA, shipped overnight at room temperature.

For specimen types other than those listed here, please call to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.

For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Ultrasensitive qualitative real time polymerase chain reaction

Normal range: Nondetected