Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Infectious Bacterial Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #206239

Title: Lesion Formation and Antibody Response Induced by Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis-Associated Spirochetes in a Murine Abscess Model

Author
item Elliott, Margaret
item Alt, David
item Zuerner, Richard

Submitted to: Infection and Immunity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2007
Publication Date: 9/1/2007
Citation: Elliott, M.K., Alt, D.P., Zuerner, R.L. 2007. Lesion Formation and Antibody Response Induced by Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis (PDD)-associated spirochetes in a Murine Abscess Model. Infection and Immunity. 75(9):4400-4408.

Interpretive Summary: Papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD), also known as hairy heel wart, is a growing cause of lameness of cows in the U.S. dairy industry. Farms with PDD afflicted cows experience economic loss due to treatment costs, decreased milk production, lower reproductive efficiency and premature culling. While the exact cause of PDD is still unknown, lesion development is associated with the presence of anaerobic spirochetes. Previously isolated spirochetes from PDD lesions (isolates 1A, 3A, 4A and 5B) were tested using a mouse model to determine if differences in lesions produced by the spirochetes would show variation in size, type and duration. Antibodies developed to each spirochete were evaluated for cross-reactivity with other isolates and for differences in antibody subtype produced. Isolate 1A induced the largest closed lesion. Isolate 3A induced open lesions. Mixing all four of the isolates together reduced lesion size Variable cross-reactivity was found between the antibodies produced to the isolates as well as differences in the antibody subtypes produced to each isolate. This study suggests that PDD-associated spirochetes have different capabilities in regards to lesion induction. These spirochetes also possess differences and similarities in the structures responsible for inducing antibody production.

Technical Abstract: Papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD), also known as hairy heel wart, is a growing cause of lameness of cows in the U.S. dairy industry. Farms with PDD afflicted cows experience economic loss due to treatment costs, decreased milk production, lower reproductive efficiency and premature culling. While the exact cause of PDD is still unknown, lesion development is associated with the presence of anaerobic spirochetes. Previously isolated spirochetes from PDD lesions (isolates 1A, 3A, 4A and 5B) were tested using a mouse model to determine if differences in lesions produced by the spirochetes would show variation in size, type and duration. Antibodies developed to each spirochete were evaluated for cross-reactivity with other isolates and for differences in antibody subtype produced. Isolate 1A induced the largest closed lesion. Isolate 3A induced open lesions. Mixing all four of the isolates together reduced lesion size Variable cross-reactivity was found between the antibodies produced to the isolates as well as differences in the antibody subtypes produced to each isolate. This study suggests that PDD-associated spirochetes have different capabilities in regards to lesion induction. These spirochetes also possess differences and similarities in the structures responsible for inducing antibody production.