Researchers from the Czech Republic (Czechia) assessed the applicability and efficiency of using Actiphage® for rapid detection and quantification of viable MAP in milk samples.
They used the phage-based kit combined with IS900 real-time PCR (qPCR) and the results were published recently in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
The authors, Monika Beinhauerova and Iva Slana, of the Department of Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance at the Veterinary Research Institute in Brno, said: “We demonstrated that Actiphage, in combination with IS900 qPCR, allows rapid and sensitive detection and identification of viable MAP in milk samples with a limit of detection of 1 MAP per 50 ml Milk.
“Using this method, the presence of viable MAP cells was successfully determined in 30.77% of fresh goat, sheep and cow milk samples originating from herds infected with paratuberculosis.”
The researchers also used the Actiphage assay to define the time-lapse aspect of testing naturally contaminated milk and milk filters frozen for various lengths of time by phage-based techniques.
Viable MAP was detected in 13.04% of frozen milk samples and 28.57% of frozen milk filters using Actiphage-qPCR.
They conclude: “The results suggest the ability to detect viable MAP in these samples following freezing for more than one year. The obtained results support the views of the beneficial role of this technology in the control or monitoring of paratuberculosis.”
Application of the Actiphage® Assay to Detect Viable Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Cells in Fresh Sheep and Goat Milk and Previously Frozen Milk and In-Line Milk Filters
Monika Beinhauerova and Iva Slana. Front. Vet. Sci., 11 October 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.752834
