rodent and rabbit assay data sheet
Pasteurella multocida
NOTE: THIS TEST IS NOT PERFORMED
ON SAMPLES TAKEN FROM BOVINES OWNED OR LOCATED IN THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA.
Test
code:
B0045 - Ultrasensitive qualitative detection of
Pasteurella multocida
by real time PCR
Pasteurella
bacteria are small, nonmotile, gram-negative, bipolar-staining
bacilli that normally inhabit the nasal, gingival and tonsillar
regions of most domestic cats, many dogs and many other animal
species.
Pasteurella
secretes an endotoxin that changes the properties of the
pulmonary surfactant. This alters pulmonary mechanics and gas
exchange, often resulting in a pneumonia which is slow to
resolve. Abscesses or pleuritis may also result from
Pasteurella
infection.
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 with an infected animal, either directly or through
fomites. P. multocida
initially colonizes the pharynx, then moves to the nasal cavity
and surrounding tissue, with the potential to spread to the rest
of the body. Colonization of the nasal cavity may take two weeks
to occur, at which time clinical signs may or may not appear.
Infected rabbits may 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 and contaminants) in the culture.
Serology can
be used for cases when infection is suspected in organs for
which cultures are not attainable, or when culturing has yielded
no results. However, a seropositive titer to
P. multocida merely
indicates past exposure to the organism. Because many rabbits
and other animals have been exposed to this organism, a
diagnosis of pasteurellosis cannot be made based on serologic
results alone. Molecular detection by PCR, however, offers a
highly sensitive, accurate and timely method for detecting
Pasteurella and confirming current infection (Miflin and
Blackall, 2001).
Utilities:
-
Help confirm the disease causing agent
-
Shorten the time required to confirm a clinical
diagnosis of Pasteurella
-
Help ensure that rabbit 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 rabbits and other 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:
Nasal swab or 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA.
Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix 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:
Qualitative
real time polymerase chain reaction
Normal range:
Nondetected