An evaluation of the ability of Dichelobacter nodosus to survive in soil.
BACKGROUND
Dichelobacter nodosus is the causative agent of footrot in sheep. The survival of the bacterium in soil is of importance for the epidemiology of the disease. The investigation evaluates the survival of D. nodosus in soil with and without added hoof powder stored under different temperatures.


RESULTS
An experimental setup was used with bacteriological culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the results indicate that the bacteria can survive in soil for longer time than previously expected. The survival time was found to be dependent on temperature and the addition of hoof powder to the soil, with the longest survival time estimated to be 24 days in soil samples with hoof powder stored at 5°C.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that the survival time of D. nodosus and its ability to infect susceptible sheep on pasture under different climatic conditions should be studied further.
Department of Large Animal Science, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 3, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
Sara Ellinor
SE
Cederlöf
Tomas
T
Hansen
Ilka Christine
IC
Klaas
Øystein
Ø
Angen
D000818:Animals; D020376:Dichelobacter nodosus / Q000502:physiology*; D006724:Hoof and Claw; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D012987:Soil