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Ministry of Agriculture

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Bacteriology

This section of the AHC is responsible for the isolation, identification, typing and determination of antimicrobial susceptibilities of bacterial pathogens, as well as the isolation and identification of fungal pathogens from animals.

A wide variety of specimens are acceptable for culture. The laboratory workup may include aerobic and anaerobic culture, as well as enrichment culture for a number of specific pathogens including Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria and others. Identification is done using standard culturing techniques and biochemical testing. In addition to classic bacteriological methods we use DNA-based methodology for the detection of some pathogens and to help identify isolates. Genetic analysis may be used to type organisms (fingerprinting) for epidemiological studies. 

Serological typing may also be performed for certain organisms.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing is based upon the common antimicrobials used to treat disease in specific industries. Although we most often use the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion assay to give Susceptibility / Resistance results, we may also determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) for some agents upon request.

S. Byrne, BSc (Hon), PhD, Section Head
Osei-Appiah, J., BSc, Laboratory Scientist