FIG. 1.

Raw sheep milk sample analysis scheme. Milk samples (797) were received, and 100 μl was cultured in 10 ml of specific microbiological media (1, MBG Mycoplasma broth base with supplement G from OXOID; and 2, MA1A medium from Mycoplasma Experience) at 37°C in 5% CO₂ chambers for 6 days. DNA was then extracted using thermolysis (3) and analyzed by PCR using the p40-IAC Q-PCR assay and the method described by Tola and coworkers (27). If the PCR tested positive, DNA was directly purified from 25 ml of milk to demonstrate direct detection by avoiding cultivation and to improve the analytical performance.