Microtek offers a wide variety of bacterial and viral culture testing services. All test results are reported to the client in a comprehensive confidential report. Regulatory testing services are also offered which include FHPR (Canadian Fish Health Protection Regulations), US Title 50, and requirements to meet international standards for fish health.

Submitted samples are cultured on several selective and nonselective culture media for the isolation of bacterial pathogens. Stained imprints are also made from selected tissue samples and are viewed using light microscopy to diagnose the presence of pathogens. Antibiotic sensitivity testing is performed on isolated pathogens. This test is most commonly used to determine the cause of mortalities from disease outbreaks, or for the routine testing of stocks.

Culture for R. salmoninarum requires complex media and culturing conditions. This bacterium requires a minimum of 21 days for primary isolation. Culture detection is useful for R. salmoninarum vaccinated fish to prevent any confusion between vaccinated and infected fish.

This service provides an identification of the bacterial pathogen(s) submitted on a plate culture. We use a wide range of morphological, metabolic, biochemical, and immuno-based tests for identification.

This service provides a sensitivity profile using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Antibiotics tested include: Erythromycin, Florfenicol, Tribrissen, Romet, and Oxytetracycline.

Considered the gold standard test for aquatic viral diagnostics, this test involves viral isolation on cell lines. Two cell lines; Epithelioma Papillosum Cyprini (EPC) and Chinook salmon embryo (CHSE-214) are routinely used for virus testing. Other selective cell lines available* include Fat Head Minnow (FHM), Rainbow Trout Gonad (RTG-2), Atlantic Salmon (AS), Salmon Head Kidney (SHK-1), Striped Snakehead (SSN-1), Chum salmon (CHH-1), and Blue gill fry (BF-2).

*Extra cell lines may require advance notification