Isolation and characterisation of a novel spirochaete from severe virulentovine foot rot

A novel spirochaete was isolated from a case of severe virulent ovine foot rot (SVOFR) by immunomagnetic separation with beads coated with polyclonal anti-treponemal antisera and prolonged anaerobic broth culture. The as yet unnamed treponeme differs considerably from the only other spirochaete isol ated from ovine foot rot as regards morphology, enzymic profile and 16S rDN A sequence. On the basis of 16S rDNA, it was most closely related to anothe r unnamed spirochaete isolated from cases of bovine digital dermatitis in t he USA, raising the possibility of cross-species transmission. Further info rmation is required to establish this novel ovine spirochaete as the cause of SVOFR.