THE MODIFIED HOTIS TEST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CONTAGIOUS BOVINE MASTITIS

Abstract

SummaryThe modified Hotis test is of great value in reducing the amount of labour and material required for the large‐scale diagnosis of contagious bovine mastitis. It yields a higher number of positives than is obtained by plating non‐incubated samples, and it is probably more accurate than the simple enrichment technique, for in this technique the results obtained are open to doubt owing to the ease by which contamination from teats or hands can occur.The use of sodium azide as a means of combating accidental contamination of milk samples cannot be recommended since azide‐sensitive strains of the organism were encountered.