Comparison of Fusobacterium necrophorum isolates from liver abscesses, ruminal walls, and ruminal contents of feedlot cattle

Abstract

DNA finger printing (restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis) was employed to genetically compare Fusobacterium necrophorum isolates of liver abscesses, ruminal wall, and ruminal contents from the same animal. Fusobacterium necrophorum isolates from liver abscesses were genetically identical to the corresponding isolates from the ruminal wall in eight of nine animals tested. This genetic similarity between the isolates supports the hypothesis that F. necrophorum in liver abscesses originates from the ruminal wall.