Detection of Mastitis in Goat Milk using qRTPCR.

Replicate milk samples were obtained from a herd of Alpine Goats on the research farm at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. Subsequent DNA extraction and quantitative real time PCR (qRTPCR) were conducted using Norgen Biotek Milk DNA Preservation and Isolation kit followed by amplification with an iQ™ SYBR Green Supermix. Quantitative real time PCR assays detecting Listeria monocytogenes , Staphylococcus aureus , Samonella enterica , Streptococcus agalactiae , Streptococcus dysgalactiae , and Streptococcus uberis were conducted. These bacteria are all known to cause Mastitis. Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder that causes chemical changes in the composition of, and subsequent lowering of quality in the milk that is produced by affected goats, further causing difficulty affecting an entire dairy herd. This leads to huge economic losses for producers and risk to consumers. Early detection of pathogens that cause Mastitis should be included in routine diagnostic testing. This study shows a diagnostic procedure that can be utilized for the assessment of safe dairy products from Alpine goats. Presented here are the results of a healthy herd raised at the American Institute for Goat Research.