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Salmonella PCR and Culture Diagnostic Aid

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Salmonella diagnostic testing can be challenging to interpret and apply to clinical or pathology samples. The WVDL has a workflow for the identification of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica utilizing molecular detection, culture, serogroup and serotyping. This workflow was created based on existing data from published literature and data collected at the WVDL. We have analyzed the data collected from 2014-2020 to provide clients with a better understanding of why the WVDL has implemented the current Salmonella testing scheme.

File: CL-Res-66-Salmonella-PCR-and-Bacteriology-Testing-at-WVDL.pdf

Salmonellosis Disinfection Protocol

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It is important that livestock trailers, maternity and calf pens and other areas suspect of being contaminated with Salmonella be properly cleaned before the disinfectant is applied. If these areas are not properly cleaned, the disinfection step is much less effective at killing pathogens. High-pressure washing should not be used because of the risk of cross-contamination of the environment and aerosalization of contaminated material, which can cause human and animal infection. Importantly, livestock owners and managers should understand that while high-pressure washers do remove gross soils, such as dried fecal material, it does not consistently remove bacterial biofilms. Biofilm removal is an essential and vital component of proper cleaning. The following is a simple cleaning and disinfection protocol that is widely used in livestock operations in the United States.

File: CL-Res-72-Disinfection-and-Cleaning-Protocol-Salmonellosis-1.pdf

Total Solids for Liquid Feeds Sampling Guidelines

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Sampling Instructions

• Producers should wear disposable gloves to prevent contamination of the sample with bacteria.
• Producers should plan on collecting samples for a minimum of 7 consecutive days. A sample should be collected from every calf feeding during the week.
• Samples must be thoroughly mixed (agitated) prior to collection.
• Milk Replacer samples should be prepared and received in liquid form. The lab will not reconstitute Milk Replacer samples.
• Samples should be collected in a leak proof vial. Vials (2 oz translucent lock top) can be purchased from Nelson Jameson (1-800-826-8302). The catalog number is 170-3206.
• Fill the leak proof vial ½ full with milk or milk replacer.
• Label the vial. Each vial should have the date and time (am, pm) of collection clearly written on it.
• Samples should be placed in a household freezer immediately after collection. Samples can remain in the freezer for up to 14 days before submission to the laboratory.

Shipping Instructions

• Veterinarians should completely fill out the WVDL Milk Submission Form (Total Solids request is included below the Liquid Feed request). An electronic copy of the Milk Submission form is available at the WVDL website: here.
• Request the Total Solids test.
• Package the samples with a sufficient number of ice packs to ensure they remain frozen
during shipment. Warm samples will be rejected.
• Send the samples by the most expeditious means. The laboratory should receive the samples within 24-36 hours. Samples submitted for both solids and bacterial quantification should be sent directly to the WVDL Barron Lab.
• Clients should schedule shipments to avoid weekend and holiday delivery of samples to the laboratory.

File: CL-Res-25-Total-Solids-Testing-Waste-Milk-and-Calf-Milk-Replacer-Sampling-and-Transport-Instructions-1.pdf