초록 ▼

The present invention involves a method and an immuno-analytical device for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple micro-organisms in the biological fluids from milk-producing animals suffering from mastitis. This method is based on a lateral flow immuno-assay technique performed to detect

The present invention involves a method and an immuno-analytical device for the rapid and simultaneous detection of multiple micro-organisms in the biological fluids from milk-producing animals suffering from mastitis. This method is based on a lateral flow immuno-assay technique performed to detect antigens specific for multiple infectious agents which are known to cause and/or be encountered in cases of mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the udders of milk-producing animals as a result of microbial infections.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for simultaneously detecting a plurality of different indicators of mastitis in a milk sample of a mammal, comprising the steps of: exposing said milk sample to a test membrane having antibodies that specifically bind to a plurality of different pathogens selected from the group consi

1. A method for simultaneously detecting a plurality of different indicators of mastitis in a milk sample of a mammal, comprising the steps of: exposing said milk sample to a test membrane having antibodies that specifically bind to a plurality of different pathogens selected from the group consisting of a Streptococcus species, a Staphylococcus species, and a Mycoplasma species; said test membrane further having antibodies that specifically bind to granulocytes in said milk sample; detecting the presence or absence of the pathogens and the amount of granulocytes in said milk sample; and relating the presence of said pathogens and said granulocytes in said milk sample to mastitis in said mammal. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the milk sample is allowed to settle into two phases before exposing and wherein the top "clear" phase is exposed. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the milk sample is diluted before exposing. 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cream is removed from the top of the milk before exposing. 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said milk sample is treated to remove at least about 50% of the fat and/or the casein. 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said treatment comprises adding a detergent to remove the fat globules and precipitating the casein with acid. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein said milk-producing animal is a cow, a sheep or a goat. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein said Streptococcus species is selected from the group consisting of S. agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae and S. uberis. 9. The method claim 1 wherein said Staphylococcus species is a Staphylococcus aureus. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein said Staphylococcus species is a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein said Mycoplasma is selected from the group consisting of M. bovis, M. californicum, and M. bovigenitaliae. 12. The method of claim 1 further comprising antibodies specific to at least 7 pathogens. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising antibodies specific to at least 10 pathogens. 14. The method of claim 12 wherein said 7 pathogens are Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma bovis, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, M. californicum, and M. bovigenitaliae. 15. The method of claim 1 further comprising a lateral flow test format. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: identifying the presence of the pathogens using second antibodies which are free to move by capillary action within the membrane. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said second antibodies are conjugated to a marker. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said marker is a color-producing agent. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said color-producing agent is colloidal gold or a colored latex micro-sphere. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein said more than one test membrane is arranged longitudinally side by side. 21. The method of claim 16, wherein said method allows concurrent visualization of test results. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein said antibodies are polyclonal, monoclonal, or antigen-binding fragments thereof. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein said granulocytes are neutrophils.