Species: Bovine

Specimen: Swabs, fetal stomach contents

Container: Sterile container

Collection protocol: Swab affected area, aspirate fetal stomach contents.

Special handling/shipping requirements: Dry swab samples are stable at room temperature. Other samples are to be transported and stored chilled. Do not freeze samples.

General information about the disease: Ureaplasma diversum is a common commensal in cattle both overseas and in New Zealand. Pathogenicity depends on the strain of organism and host resistance. Clinical disease in ruminants is characterised by granular vulvitis, purulent vaginitis and infertility. Ascending infections may cause abortion with distinctive, but not pathognomonic, placental and fetal lesions.

Comparison with other related tests: Ureaplasma diversum is difficult to grow in culture so PCR provides a rapid and specific method for identification of this organism.