Prevalence of ovine footrot in Kashmir, India and molecular characterization of Dichelobacter nodosus

Abstract

In a study conducted in 4 districts of south Kashmir the prevalence of ovine footrot was found to be 16.41%, with the highest prevalence of 19.43% in district Kulgam and lowest of 12.21% in district Pulwama. While 18.65 and 17.45% prevalence of footrot was observed in districts Anantnag and Shopian respectively. Overall economic impact of footrot was estimated to the tune of Rs 36.79 million annually to the sheep production in south Kashmir. Out of 400 samples collected from footrot lesions of naturally infected sheep, 224 (56%) samples were detected D. nodosus positive. Out of these, 185 (82.58%) isolates were belonging to serogroup B of D. nodosus, 3 (1.33%) serogroup C, 21 (9.37%) serogroup E, 5 (2.23%) serogroup I and 10 (4.46%) had mixed infection of 2 serogroups B and E. Serogroup C was detected for the first time in India. Out of 224 D. nodosus isolates, 138 (61.60%) possessed intA gene, thus were considered as virulent strains. Serogroup-wise, intA gene was found in 123 (66.48%) isolates of serogroup B, 11 (52.38%) of E and 4 (80.0%) of I. It was interesting to note that none of the sample from serogroup C was positive for intA gene, indicating benign status of disease.