Veterinary Microbiology Testing
Supporting animal health with safe, effective veterinary product validation.
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Veterinary Microbiology Testing
Scientifically robust microbiological testing services supporting animal health, veterinary products, feed, and environmental monitoring, with expertise across bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens.
Scope of Veterinary Microbiology Services
Orion Microbiology provides comprehensive veterinary microbiology testing to support disease investigation, product safety, and regulatory compliance across companion animals, livestock, aquaculture, and wildlife sectors. Our services are designed to deliver accurate, traceable, and scientifically defensible results.
Bacteriological Testing
Bacterial pathogens remain a major cause of infectious disease in animals and a critical consideration for veterinary medicinal products, feed safety, and hygiene monitoring.
| Testing Area | Representative Organisms | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Pathogen Detection & Identification | Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Pasteurella multocida | Clinical diagnosis, outbreak investigation, herd health monitoring |
| Indicator & Hygiene Organisms | Enterobacteriaceae, total viable counts, coliforms | Environmental monitoring, feed and facility hygiene assessment |
| Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing | Veterinary-relevant bacterial isolates | Therapeutic guidance and antimicrobial stewardship |
Virological Testing
Viral pathogens present significant risks to animal health, biosecurity, and trade. Virological testing is conducted using validated molecular and cell-based methodologies appropriate to the target virus and sample matrix.
| Testing Area | Representative Viruses | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular Detection (PCR / qPCR) | Influenza A (avian/swine), Canine Parvovirus, Feline Calicivirus | Disease surveillance, confirmation testing, screening programmes |
| Viral Quantification | Selected DNA and RNA viruses | Vaccine development, antiviral efficacy studies |
| In Vitro Viral Assays | Cell culture-adapted veterinary viruses | Product safety testing and research applications |
All virological testing is conducted under biosafety level 1 or 2 conditions, using non-exotic and non-high-consequence veterinary viruses, and aligned with relevant national guidance.
Mycological (Fungal) Testing
Fungal pathogens and spoilage organisms can significantly impact animal health, feed quality, and veterinary products. Our mycological testing addresses both clinical and environmental requirements.
| Testing Area | Representative Fungi | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Yeast & Mould Enumeration | Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. | Feed testing, environmental monitoring, product quality assessment |
| Dermatophyte Detection | Microsporum, Trichophyton | Veterinary dermatology and clinical diagnosis |
| Fungal Identification | Filamentous fungi and yeasts | Root cause analysis and contamination investigations |
Quality, Compliance, and Scientific Rigor
Veterinary microbiology testing at Orion Microbiology is performed in accordance with internationally recognised standards and quality principles. Methods are selected, verified, and controlled to ensure technical validity, traceability, and reproducibility of results. Where applicable, activities are aligned with the principles of ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories, without claiming formal accreditation.
Test results are generated using defined methods, calibrated equipment, competent personnel, and appropriate quality controls. Measurement uncertainty, where relevant, is considered in accordance with ISO principles, and data are reported in a clear, objective, and technically defensible manner.
Common Veterinary Microorganisms and Applicable ISO Standards
The table below provides examples of commonly isolated veterinary microorganisms within Biosafety Level 1 and 2 laboratories, together with representative ISO standards used for their detection, enumeration, or characterisation. Selection of methods is dependent on the sample matrix, purpose of testing, and regulatory context.
| Microorganism | Animal / Sample Context | Testing Objective | Relevant ISO Standard(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonella spp. | Livestock, feed, environmental samples | Detection / absence testing | ISO 6579-1 |
| Escherichia coli | Companion animals, livestock, water | Enumeration and hygiene indicators | ISO 16649 series |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Skin, wounds, milk | Enumeration / identification | ISO 6888 series |
| Enterobacteriaceae | Feed, housing environments | Hygiene monitoring | ISO 21528 series |
| Candida spp. | Clinical and product-related samples | Enumeration / identification | ISO 18416 |
| Yeasts and moulds | Feed, bedding, environment | Enumeration | ISO 21527 series |
| Feline calicivirus (surrogate) | Veterinary products, research matrices | Molecular detection / viral studies | ISO 15216 (methodological reference) |
Where ISO standards are not directly prescriptive for a specific veterinary application, methods are selected and validated in line with ISO/IEC 17025 principles and relevant international guidance, with suitability demonstrated for the intended purpose