The section tests samples for bacterial and fungal disease agents. Samples received at the section include: fresh tissues; swabs from body cavities and fluids; sera; whole blood and tissue smears. The section aid practitioners in disease investigation by providing definitive diagnosis of a disease condition and also in ruling out other possible causes.

From Governments’ perspective, the lab plays an important role in the facilitation of surveillance programs for notifiable diseases such as Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) or cattle lung disease, Brucellosis, Antharx, Glanders and avian mycoplasmosis.

 The Bacteriology section is divided into three units, being Molecular Biology, General Diagnostics and Serology.

Molecular Biology

The Molecular Biology Unit uses PCR, a technique currently utilized for CBPP surveillance testing and for Brucellosis diagnosis.The CBPP complement fixation test (CFT) is accredited to ISO 17025 standard by SANAS.

General Diagnostics Unit

This unit is involved with the identification of bacteria, moulds and fungi by culturing from the sample. The most commonly used medium for isolation of microorganisms is sheep blood agar. Other specialized media are used  for fastidious organisms. Additional tests which are necessary in the identification of bacteria are: the Gram stain, catalase, oxidase, oxidative-fermentative and biochemical sugars tests among others.  

Other diagnostic techniques employed in the unit include microscopy tests and flourescent antibody test (FAT). For certain bacteria, such as Bacillus anthracis (the causative agent for anthrax), with unique identifying features their morphology can be readily confirmed under microscopy.

Other diseases tested for include;

• Enterotoxaemia
• Pasteurellosis
• Anthax
• Black quarter
• Salmonellosis
• Collibacillosis
• Campylobacteriosis
• Pasteurellosis
• Streptothricosis
• Ringworm and other fungal diseases

 Serology Unit

The test complement for this unit is made up of: the following:

· Complement Fixation Test (CFT) and culture for CBPP;

This is in support of the Departments surveillance strategy on the national cattle herd for the maintenance of CBPP freedom. Samples are received from extension agents of the respective surveillance areas.

· Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and CFT for Brucellosis;

This test is conducted on samples either received from private practitioners, farmers, and extension agents.  The bulk of the samples arederived from the national dairy herd annual  health programme for bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis. Samples received are raw milk and blood (serum) preserved accordingly. A Laboratory Samples Submission Guideline booklet is available to direct which samples and method of preservation to submit to the laboratory.

· A complement fixation test (CFT ) for Glanders;

This test was recently introduced in 2008 to support the equine meat industry. Fresh meat samples are mostly from abattoirs for laboratory analysis.

• ELISA and culture for Avian Mycoplasmas.

 The poultry meat industry is growing significantly fast and this test was established to support the industry in diagnosis of the disease and in its efforts at meeting export requirements.

What is the cost of the services under the bacteriology section?

Laboratory tests are very expensive and the charges listed below are only for the purposes of recovering some costs by the laboratory: