Genetic elements within the genome of 'Dichelobacter nodosus'

Abstract

The anaerobic bacterium 'Dichelobacter nodosus' is the principal causative agent of ovine footrot. Analysis of the genomic DNA from virulent and benign strains of 'D. nodosus' has identified regions of the genome which are present primarily in virulent strains and absent from most benign strains. These virulence-associated DNA regions, the 'vap' (virulence associated protein) and 'vrl' (virulence related locus) regions, have unknown functions and have both arisen by the integration of genetic elements into the bacterial genome.