Application of 16SrRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing Approach for Surveillance of Novel Ovine Disease Emergence in Norway
Contagious Ovine Digital Dermatitis (CODD) is a globally emerging, infectious foot disease of sheep which causes severe welfare and economic problems. Currently, there is no validated commercial laboratory diagnostic test for CODD, and diagnosis relies on the gross pathological appearance of foot lesions. In this study we used a combination of assessment of gross pathological lesions and 16SrRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the bacterial microbiome of suspected CODD foot lesions identified in 3 Norwegian abattoirs to determine if CODD may have emerged in Norway.