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Detection of Treponema species associated with bovine digital dermatitis in cattle using novel real-time PCR assays
Laura Tassera1, Isabelle Brodard1, Jörg Jores1
1Institute of Veterinary Bacteriology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Three Treponema sp.-T. medium, T. pedis, and T. phagedenis-are associated with bovine digital dermatitis (BDD). This painful infectious disease has been reported worldwide, causing economic and animal welfare problems. Although detection by real-time PCR (rtPCR) is the method of choice, published assays differ in specificity and sensitivity. We multiplexed target regions of 2 published rtPCR assays and slightly optimized another one to compare their performance. We then used the 2 novel TaqMan rtPCR assays to determine the prevalence of the 3 Treponema sp. in a random sample of hind feet from 137 animals collected at slaughterhouses. An overall prevalence at the animal level of 31.4% was found for T. phagedenis and 10.2% for T. medium, with the latter always being detected together with T. phagedenis. We did not detect T. pedis in our sample set. Typical lesions of BDD were present in 16.2% of animals. Of the animals with BDD lesions, 52.6% were positive for any of the 3 Treponema sp. A significantly lower positive rate for Treponema sp. was found in animals without lesions, underscoring the role of these organisms in the development of BDD. Our study offers insight into the prevalence of BDD-associated Treponema sp. in cattle as well as a tool for routine diagnosis and future control of the disease.
Insights
Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is linked to Treponema species. This study found Treponema phagedenis in 31.4% and Treponema medium in 10.2% of cattle, confirming their role in BDD development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Animal Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Diagnostics
Background:
- Bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) is an infectious disease causing significant economic and animal welfare issues globally.
- Treponema medium, Treponema pedis, and Treponema phagedenis are implicated in BDD pathogenesis.
- Existing real-time PCR (rtPCR) assays for Treponema detection exhibit variable specificity and sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the performance of multiplexed and optimized real-time PCR assays for Treponema species detection.
- To determine the prevalence of BDD-associated Treponema species in cattle using novel TaqMan rtPCR assays.
- To investigate the association between Treponema species and BDD lesions in cattle.
Main Methods:
- Multiplexing and optimization of published rtPCR assays targeting Treponema species.
- Development and application of two novel TaqMan rtPCR assays.
- Analysis of hind feet samples from 137 cattle at slaughterhouses.
Main Results:
- Prevalence rates of 31.4% for Treponema phagedenis and 10.2% for Treponema medium were observed at the animal level.
- Treponema medium was consistently detected alongside Treponema phagedenis.
- Treponema pedis was not detected in the sampled cattle.
- BDD lesions were present in 16.2% of animals, with 52.6% of these testing positive for Treponema species.
- Animals without BDD lesions showed a significantly lower positive rate for Treponema species.
Conclusions:
- The study provides validated rtPCR assays for routine diagnosis of BDD-associated Treponema species.
- Treponema phagedenis and Treponema medium are prevalent in cattle, with Treponema medium often co-occurring with T. phagedenis.
- The findings reinforce the role of these Treponema species in the etiology of bovine digital dermatitis.
