Microbial Consortium for Digital Dermatitis Lesion Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inducing digital dermatitis in animal models are inconsistent and do not accurately replicate the natural disease process, lacking a definitive bacterial cause and effective intervention strategies due to the polybacterial nature of the disease.
Innovation Solution
A novel induction method using a microbial consortium of Treponema spp., Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Campylobacter ureolyticus, along with a rapid inoculation protocol that does not require water maceration, to consistently produce lesions in the interdigital space, mimicking the natural disease in cattle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water maceration procedure is used to induce digital dermatitis, then lesions can be produced, but the process takes up to 18 days and is lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-preparing a defined microbial consortium containing Treponema spp., Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Campylobacter ureolyticus in specific ratios before induction. This pre-assembled consortium eliminates the need for lengthy water maceration procedures and enables rapid, consistent lesion induction within 7-14 days while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of microbial composition by using a defined consortium with specific species and ratios rather than natural maceration products. This parameter change accelerates the induction process from 18 days to 7-14 days while improving consistency and reducing variability in lesion development.
2Reliability
If pure culture of Treponema spp. is used for induction, then the disease can be studied, but classic disease lesions cannot be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple bacterial species (Treponema spp., Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Campylobacter ureolyticus) into a defined consortium that collectively produces classic digital dermatitis lesions. This combination approach resolves the contradiction by showing that while pure Treponema culture alone is insufficient, the synergistic interaction of multiple species accurately replicates the natural disease process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite microbial consortium that mimics the polybacterial nature of natural digital dermatitis. This composite approach ensures accurate disease replication by incorporating the specific mix of organisms known to work together in causing DD, thereby achieving both reliability in disease replication and ease of induction through a standardized protocol.
3Reliability
If footbaths containing antibiotics are used for treatment, then digital dermatitis can be treated, but the footbaths become contaminated with feces and dirt and function as large selective cultures of antibiotic resistant bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and identifies specific causative organisms (Treponema spp., Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Campylobacter ureolyticus) from the complex microbial community in DD lesions. This extraction enables targeted therapeutic strategies that focus on eliminating these specific pathogens rather than using broad-spectrum antibiotics in footbaths, thereby maintaining treatment effectiveness while reducing the selection pressure for antibiotic resistance.
4Reliability
If multiple phylotypes of Treponema are present in the same lesion, then the disease is polybacterial, but the identity of microorganisms that work in concert with Treponema spp. remains unknown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microbial community into distinct, identifiable species (Treponema spp., Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, Dichelobacter nodosus, and Campylobacter ureolyticus) with known functions. This segmentation allows researchers to study the specific roles of each organism and their interactions, thereby filling the knowledge gap about which microorganisms work in concert with Treponema to cause DD while maintaining accurate disease modeling.
Data Source
AI summary
Applicants have discovered a novel induction method for inducing digital dermatitis lesions consistent with the natural disease process. Applicants have prepared a consortium including a macerated tissue culture that may be used in the method as well as a novel inoculation procedure. The consortia of microbes includes isolates of Treponema phagedenis, Porphorymonas, and Bacteroides and the invention includes use of these novel isolates in preventing and treating digital dermatitis. The invention can be used to screen, test or compare the relative efficacy of various drugs and biologics for use in treatment or control of digital dermatitis.