The Basque company Vacunek has launched PathoProofTM Mastitis Major-3, a new kit identifying major mastitis-causing pathogens - PathoProofTM(Finnzymes), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae - in milk with or without preservatives such as azidiol or bronopol. Mastitis is the most common disease in dairy cattle and has a great economic significance.

This new test, an extension of Vacunek's Mycoplasma bovis product portfolio and similar to PathoProofTM Mastitis Complete-12, needs no bacterial culture, takes just 4 hours once the sample is received and provides the user with the necessary materials for DNA extraction and real-time PCR in a single multiplex PCR.

PathoProofTM Mastitis Major-3 is particularly useful to monitor major dairy microorganisms causing infectious mastitis in bulk milk tank samples or individual milk samples. Moreover, it is a highly sensitive test that allows greater control when dealing with this kind of mastitis. Jointly with the former PathoProofTM Mastitis Complete-12, this new test enables the detection of most prevailing pathogens causing bovine mastitis (Staph. aureus, Staph. coagulasa negativo, Str. agalactiae, Str. dysgalactiae, Str. uberis, E. coli, C. bovis, A. pyogenes and P. indolicus, S. marcescens as well as enterococcus and Klebsiella) together with the penicillin resistance β-lactamase gene.
The test has been designed to promote easy use by laboratory staff of any kind, even with no molecular biology or PCR background, thanks to the training provided by Vacunek to its final user. The outcomes from this direct test are analysed and automatically displayed through customised software (Norden Lab Mastitis Studio).

The Animal Health Laboratory of Neiker-Tecnalia, which closely collaborates with Vacunek has recently started to offer diagnosis of individual or bulk tank dairy samples using the PathoProofTM product range.