British Cattle Veterinary Association

Accurate differentiation of Staphylococcus aureus from other staphylococcal species in bovine milk samples is of critical importance, both at individual animal and at herd level. Preliminary results from a study using UK staphylococcal mastitis isolates suggest that there is significant variation between currently used laboratory methods, and that even the most accurate currently used methods may misclassify as many as one in ten isolates. This study reinforces the need to interpret laboratory results in a critical fashion, and with an understanding of the characteristics of the methods or tests used to generate them.