Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product on the prevention of digital dermatitis using an experimental infection model in cattle

Abstract

Objective

The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of a feed supplement, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (SCFP, NutriTek, Diamond V, Cedar Rapids, IA), on the prevention of digital dermatitis (DD) lesions in Holstein Friesian steers. For this research, an experimental infection model was used to reliably induce DD lesions in cattle.

Materials and Methods

A blind completely randomized study was conducted using a digital dermatitis infection model. Following 7 d of hydropic skin maceration in a wrap, the hind feet of 49 Holstein Friesian steers (24 control and 25 SCFP) were inoculated with bovine DD lesion homogenate and remained wrapped until clinical signs of DD were observed or until the protocol endpoint. Pellets containing SCFP (12 g/d NutriTek) or control supplements were mixed in the steers’ respective daily total mixed ration and fed throughout the duration of the study.

Results and Discussion

Seven days after inoculation, all 49 steers developed an M1 (early focal bacterial keratolysis of the epidermis) or M2 (ulcerated/active) lesion on at least 1 hind foot. Treponeme species were detected by polymerase chain reaction, and invasive spirochetes were observed by histology in skin biopsies of the experimentally induced DD lesions. In this DD induction model, the relative risk of steers to develop M2 lesions in the control group was 1.53 (1.09–2.15, 95% CI) times greater than the SCFP group, although SCFP supplementation did not significantly affect the size of the M2 lesions. The multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for risk factors, confirmed that the control steers were significantly more likely to develop M2 lesions than the SCFP steers.

Implications and Applications

The DD experimental infection model used in the present study is useful for testing additional intervention strategies in cattle. The protective effect of SCFP against developing experimentally induced M2 DD lesions suggests that SCFP can be considered as a nutritional intervention to mitigate the risk of DD infection. Additional research is warranted to evaluate the potential mode of action to support the use of SCFP supplementation in the prevention of the development and transmission of DD lesions in cattle under field conditions.