FERA Introduces AccuMast Plus®, Adding S. Agalactiae Identification to On-Farm Mastitis Diagnostics
Mar 25, 2021
ITHACA, N.Y. (March 25, 2021) — FERA Diagnostics and Biologicals recently launched AccuMast Plus®, an on-farm mastitis culture test building on the innovation of the original AccuMast® system. As the first and only on-farm kit capable of differentiating common pathogens, including Klebsiella, E. coli, Lactococcus, Staph. aureus, Enterococcus and Streptococcus, the AccuMast system became the gold for mastitis culturing. AccuMast Plus uses the same lab-grade precision and convenience, but also incorporates S. agalactiae identification.
“Streptococcus agalactiae is historically the most important pathogen-causing mastitis,” says Rodrigo Bicalho, FERA Chief Executive Officer and Founder. “For the first time, producers have a complete bacterial identification system for use on the farm. AccuMast Plus detects for the same Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus pathogens as our proven AccuMast system, plus it also distinguishes Streptococcus Agalactiae from other types of Streptococcus.”
Retaining the same simplistic, color-based identification as its predecessor, AccuMast Plus adds a fourth section to the single-plate culture system. This new section contains an original media that only grows S. agalactiae for research-proven diagnosis.
A 2018 study conducted at the University of Illinois found the original AccuMast to be the most accurate out of four on-farm sampling systems for diagnosing specific mastitis-causing pathogens. It was also more reliable for overall predictive factors and significantly similar to the in lab results.
“As more farmers reduce antibiotic usage or even forego dry cow treatment, experts are seeing a slow rebirth of S. Agalactiae on some dairies,” says Bicalho. “Now we're moving on to an era where we're going to continue decreasing antibiotic usage. We need to improve diagnostics to keep an eye on these important microbes.”
About FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals
FERA Diagnostics & Biologicals is a privately held animal health company based in College Station, Texas. Combining innovation and science, FERA developed AccuMast and AccuMast Plus for easy-to-use and accurate diagnostics to improve the lives of producers and their animals.
