UK DIAGNOSTIC LAB NEWS From the Director’s Desk Craig Carter, DVM PhD Dipl. ACVPM


UK Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) Department of Veterinary Science, College of Agriculture, Food & the Environment, Lexington, KY


UKVDL CAN NOW IDENTIFY BACTERIA 24 HOURS FASTER!


THE MAGIC OF MALDI-TOF


Traditionally, bacteria and yeast are identified by labor-intensive biochemical methods, which could take several days to complete.


In some cases, the


microorganisms may require further testing for identification. As antimicrobial susceptibility test is depend on the correct identification of microorgan- isms, it is critically important to identify microor- ganisms correctly.


Te University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnos- tic Laboratory (UKVDL) has a new system, called MALDI-TOF that allows reliable identification of bacteria within a day. MALDI-TOF identifies most yeasts with high level of confidence as well. Te technology is based on proteomic fingerprinting us- ing high-throughput mass spectrometry. Te result- ing spectrum is then compared to a database and a reliable identification is made.


Please consider using our laboratory’s MALDI-TOF identification method for those microorganisms that are not identified by traditional methods in your practice.


Contact UKVDL Bacteriology section at 859-257- 8283 for further information.


Fee for MALDI-TOF microorganism identification: $10.00/isolate.


A $10.00 accession fee will be applied per submis- sion which can contain multiple samples from the same animal. 


DERMATOPATHOLOGY SUBMISSIONS


PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS Rafaela De Negri, DVM, MSc


Veterinary Pathologist/Assistant Professor Murray State University, Breathitt Veterinary Center


Dermatopathology is a complicated area of pathol- ogy that often relies on microscopic evaluation and importantly, clinical history, location, distribution, gross appearance, and patient signalment (e.g.:


age, breed, sex, etc.). A final diagnosis is therefore achieved as the result of a team effort among owner, veterinarian and pathologist. Te goal of this sum- mary is to review considerations to better facilitate that team effort.


Site of collection Preserving the integrity of the lesion is very import- ant, as diagnostic materials that are critical for an ap- propriate interpretation can unintentionally be lost during sample collection. Terefore, we recommend avoiding scrubbing the surface and consider using scissors when trimming the area. If a crust falls away from the sample, it should be included and men- tioned in the submission form.


When local anesthesia is necessary, it should be in- jected under or around the lesion to avoid damaging the sample.


For nodular, bullous, or pustular lesions, a complete excision to preserve the characteristics of the lesion is recommended. It is important to include a small edge of intact skin to preserve the attachment of the blister. Tis will allow the pathologist to determine the involved layer, critical to distinguish several dis- eases such as pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus vul- garis, and epidermolysis bullosa.


When performing punch biopsies, consider sub- mitting three to four biopsies of 6-8mm diameter. Whenever possible, avoid using cautery in removing the sample as it can distort tissue and produce arti- facts that can mask or remove critical histopatholog- ical features.


When the disease is generalized or widespread with multiple and/or extensive lesions, deciding what to sample can be challenging. When multiple lesions are present, look for lesions that are representative of the main pathological process and whenever possi- ble, biopsy all lesions. When more than one type of lesion is present, make sure to biopsy a representa- tive sample of all types and label them appropriately and place in separate containers. If lesions seem to progress from one form to another (e.g. vesicles to ulcers), samples from each stage should be includ- ed whenever possible. Include location, description, primary lesion, secondary lesion, etc. for each sam- ple that you submit.


Submit biopsies of the central and marginal areas when extensive lesions are present. Tis rule does not apply to ulcers, which should be biopsied at the mar- gin. For large lesions with varying severity, choose


Continued on pg. 8 Winter 2020 7


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