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 Royal (Dick)School of Veterinary Studies animal hospitals and is also available to external practices and organisations. The laboratory staff are highly experienced in the bacteriology and mycology of companion animals, livestock, equine, avian, zoo and exotic species.

Bacterial and fungal identification is performed using the Bruker MALDI Biotyper® Sirius MALDI-TOF MS system, enabling rapid and accurate identification of clinically significant microorganisms. Antimircobial susceptibility testing is carried out using the disc diffusion methodology. 

The laboratory participates in the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) 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 collaborators. To discuss any potential research proposals, please complete and submit the Easter Bush Pathology Research Request Form.

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
  • Rapid bacterial and fungal identification to species-level via Bruker MALDI Biotyper® Sirius MALTI-TOF MS
  • Antimicrobial sensitivity testing (AST) via disc diffusion
  • Blood culture from aerobic, anaerobic and micro-aerophilic organisms
  • Direct microscopy; Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen (acid fast) 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.


The microbiology laboratory can perform faecal screening for the following organisms;

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

The microbiology 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 via Bruker MALDI Biotyper® Sirius MALTI-TOF MS
  • Yeast culture - species-level identification via Bruker MALDI Biotyper® Sirius MALTI-TOF MS

Easter Bush Pathology

Contact details

Address

University of Edinburgh
Easter Bush campus
Roslin
Midlothian
EH25 9RG

Availability

The laboratory is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday including public holidays, except for 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.

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