SPIROCHETES AND OTHER BACTERIAL SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH BOVINE DIGITAL DERMATITIS

The 16S rRNA genes from spirochaetes associated with digital dermatiti s of British cattle were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from d igital dermatitis lesion biopsies using one universal and one treponem e-specific primer. Two treponemal sequences were identified both of wh ich shared a high degree of homology with the oral pathogen Treponema denticola (98%). Two further 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained and shared similarity to Bacteroides levii (99%) and Mycoplasma hyopharyn gis (98%). Polymerase chain reaction with T. denticola-specific primer s amplified a potential virulence gene from digital dermatitis lesions which shared a high degree of homology to the 46-kDa haemolysin gene of T. denticola. The significance of the presence of organisms in digi tal dermatitis lesions of the bovine foot which are closely related to oral pathogens is discussed.