Potential bacterial core species associated with digital dermatitis in cattle herds identified by molecular profiling of interdigital skin samples.

•Clear distinction between microbiota of DD lesions and control samples.•Treponema, Mycoplasma, Fusobacterium and Porphyromonas are the core genera of DD.•Treponemes are actively expressing virulence factors at the site of infection.•The results support the involvement of multiple Treponema spp. in DD.