Reminder about PM sampling for respiratory disease
Correct sampling during postmortems is essential for identifying respiratory diseases.
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We have been busy in the postmortem room recently with the seasonal increase in cattle pneumonia cases. Respiratory disease in any cattle production system remains a very significant cause of poor welfare, reduced production efficiency and increased antibiotic use. We have fielded a number of calls regarding what samples to take if you have the opportunity to perform an on-farm postmortem when investigating respiratory disease problems. A handy sampling guide is given below alongside a recent photo from one of our cases last week.Ìý
If you have any questions regarding correct sampling, please do not hesitate to contact the central & south east vet team onÌý0131 535 3130.
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|
TEST |
TISSUE |
METHOD |
STORAGE |
|
Histopathology |
Lung Heart Trachea Larynx Lesions |
1 x 1 cm 4 - 6 representative samples from lung Papillary muscle from heart Trachea Ìý |
ASAP Room temp 10% formalin-plenty! Leak proof container Store for as long as needed |
|
Bacterial cultures |
Affected lung +/- Abscess’s Avoid very necrotic tissue |
Sterile technique Charcoal swab |
Fridge before submitting |
|
Mycoplasma cultures |
Lung |
Sterile technique Plain swab DO NOT PUT IN CHARCOAL |
In mycoplasma medium if available Fridge before submitting |
|
Mycoplasma PCR’s |
Lung |
Tissue 1x1 cm Ìý |
In mycoplasma medium if available Fridge before submitting Freeze tissue if holding |
|
Viral PCR’s |
Lung Tracheal |
Tissue 1x1 cm Tracheal swab- plain (non-wooden) |
Fridge before submittingÌý Freeze tissue if holding Not necessarily need VTM |
|
Histophilus somni septicaemia [PCR] |
Lesions: Heart, Larynx, Brain, joint Ìý |
Tissue 1x1 cm Ìý |
Fridge before submitting Freeze if holding VTM not needed |
|
Histophilus somni septicaemia [Cultures] |
Lesions: Heart, Larynx, Brain, joint |
Sterile technique Charcoal swab (Can be difficult to grow) |
Fridge before submitting |
|
BVD [PCR] |
Spleen |
Tissue 1x1 cm |
Fridge before submittingÌýÌý Freeze if holding Not necessarily need VTM |
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Posted by ¶¶ÒõÖ±²¥ Veterinary Services on 01/12/2021
