Posted by Dr. Steve Dudley on February 18 2004 16:21
Sampling Protocol or Tissue Collection Protocol for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolation and strain characterization by molecular-based techniques
Animals to be sampled will be selected by the veterinarian on the basis of Enzootic Pneumonia clinical signs and/or farm history, regardless of age, physical condition and vaccination status. The best samples are from animals in the early stages of infection, at the onset of clinical signs, preferably from untreated animals.
Since a bronchoalveolar fluid (BALF) lavage is the desired sample for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae isolation, we request that the whole respiratory tract, treated as a bacteriological specimen be sent. The BALF lavage process may not be easy to perform under farm conditions, it will therefore be done in our laboratory. That is why we need the collected tissues to be shipped as soon as possible to ensure the agent survival.
This is the suggested outline to obtain samples:
- Enter the farm, building and pen following in-farm biosecurity measures.
- In a clean area, proceed to euthanized the selected following your usual outline procedure.
- Desired samples are:
- Nasal Swabs: We recommend BBL® Culture Swab® Cat No. 220131 for young animals and Cat No. 220099 for older pigs.
- Complete lungs, trachea and larynges tied with a simple, but firm, ligature at the top of the trachea. Place tissues in a plastic bag, we also recommend: sterile Whirl-Pak®, bags according to specimen size. Label, including: date and time of collection, farm name, site, pig identification (if any), age, housing, brief clinical history, clinical observations, etc.