A new microbial screening method for the detection of antimicrobial residues in slaughter animals: The Nouws antibiotic test (NAT-screening)

An improved microbial method for the screening of antimicrobial residues in slaughter animals has been developed. The Nouws antibiotic test (NAT-screening) is based on the analysis of renal pelvis fluid and comprises five test plates enabling group specific identification. The NAT-screening combines a simple and efficient sampling and sample processing strategy with a high detection capacity; the system effectively detects the great majority of antibiotics used in veterinary medicine at or below their maximum residue level in kidney. The NAT-screening has been validated according to 2002/657/EC and replaces the New Dutch kidney test for routine analysis within the framework of the Dutch national residue monitoring plan.