Microbiology

The Microbiology Laboratory provides a range of services for the isolation and identification of bacterial and fungal pathogens from animal and environmental samples.

This service supports the R(D)SVS animal hospitals and is also available to external practices and organisations. The laboratory staff are highly experienced in the bacteriology and mycology of companion animal, livestock, equine, avian, zoo and exotic species.

Bacterial identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing are carried out using the (semi)-automated Vitek2 system and disc diffusion respectively. Difficult to identify bacterial isolates may be identified by partial 16S sequencing. Mold isolates are identified by partial ITS sequencing.

The laboratory participates in the Animal and Plant Health Agency VETQAS small animal scheme to ensure the on-going proficiency of our testing systems.

The microbiology research laboratory is active in a range of academic and commercial research projects with university and external colleagues. For research related enquiries, please complete and submit the Easter Bush Pathology Research Request Form.

The laboratory is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday including public holidays, except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. Results will be emailed immediately on completion.

For an up-to-date price list please get in touch:

 

The microbiology laboratory performs routine bacterial culture, identification and antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) across a wide range of specimens. Available services include;

  • Routine aerobic, anaerobic and microaerophilic culture
  • Bacterial identification to species-level via Vitek2®
  • Antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) via disc diffusion
  • Blood culture from aerobic, anaerobic and micro-aerophilic organisms
  • Direct microscopy (Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen and Dienes staining)
  • Viable count quantification of contaminated and environmental samples

Interpretation of AST results is carried out using established breakpoints from the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST), ensuring accurate and clinically relevant reporting.


We can perform faecal screening for the following organisms;

  • Campylobacter spp.
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Yersinia spp.

We can provide same‑day molecular diagnostic testing for a range of clinically significant pathogens using the HORIBA POCKIT™ Central PCR analyser. Available tests include;

  • Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)
  • Equid alphaherpesvirus 4 (EHV-4)
  • Salmonella spp.
  • Streptococcus equi equi
  • Feline calicivirus (FCV)
  • Feline herpesvirus (FHV-1)
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica
  • Parvovirus (Canine and feline panleukopenia virus)

Results are obtained within 85 minutes and reported immediately to aid prompt clinical decisions.


Our laboratory performs routine fungal culture and identification from a range of clinical samples. Available services include;

  • Direct microscopy (wet preparation) - to detect fungal presence
  • Mould (including dermatophytes) - culture and molecular identification (partial ITS sequencing)
  • Yeast culture - species-level identification (by Vitek2®)

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