A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was compared with culture for the detection and diagnosis of bovine Mycoplasma intramammary infection. The PCR test was applied to 24-hour Mycoplasma enrichment cultures of milk from cows with suspected mastitis and from bulk tank milk. In comparison to culture, the sensitivity and specificity of the PCR method were 96.2% and 99.1% for individual cow milk and 100% and 99.8% for the bulk tank milk, respectively. However, in discrepant cases where PCR was positive and culture was negative, the PCR test was correct; subsequent PCR tests and culturing of the individual cow's milk yielded positive results. The PCR test simultaneously detected and differentiated among 11 bovine Mycoplasma species.
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