ISOLATION AND CHARACTERISATION OF BACTEROIDES NODOSUS FROM FOOT LESIONS OF CATTLE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Abstract
Isolates (31) of B. nodosus were obtained from foot lesions of cattle at 3 abattoirs. All isolates were similar to the B. nodosus of ovine benign footrot (BFR) in their response to the degrading proteinase test. At 1 abattoir, where the interdigital lesions were examined in detail, 9 of 10 isolates were obtained from hyperkeratotic lesions with deep fissures. BFR was seen in sheep on 4 of 8 farms of origin which carried both sheep and cattle. The significance of B. nodosus in interdigital lesions in cattle and its possible pathogenicity are discussed.