Comparative pathology and pathogenesis of naturally acquired and experimentally induced colonic spirochetosis

Abstract

Research in the past decade has led to the recognition of Brachyspira (formerly Serpulina) pilosicoli as the primary etiologic agent of colonic spirochetosis (CS), an emerging cause of colitis in humans and animals. Attachment of spirochetes to the epithelial surface of the lower intestine is considered to be the hallmark of CS. However, because B. pilosicoli, B. aalborgi and unclassified flagellated bacteria are found singly or together in humans and non-human primates with CS lesions, attachment of spiral-shaped bacteria may not represent the same etiopathogenetic entity in all hosts. Moreover, North American opossums with CS are infected with B. aalborgi-like spirochetes together with flagellated bacteria, whereas B. pilosicoli is found alone in dogs, pigs, chickens and other species of birds with CS. Conversely, guinea-pigs with CS have unidentified spirochetes that may be B. pilosicoli or B. aalborgi. The pig model of CS suggests that attachment of B. pilosicoli to epithelial cells may be transient. By contrast, persistence of B. pilosicoli in the cecal and colonic crypt lumina, chronic inflammation caused by spirochetal invasion into the subepithelial lamina propria and translocation to extraintestinal sites may be more important than previously thought. This review describes the lesions seen in naturally occurring and experimentally induced CS of animals, and it sets the stage for future research into the pathogenic mechanisms of infection and colitis caused by B. pilosicoli.

Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and other strongly -haemolytic and indole-positive spirochaetes isolated from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

“…This agent has also been suggested as the cause of necrotizing typhlocolitis in common rheas (Rhea americana) Buckles et al, 1997). Furthermore, B. hyodysenteriae may be present in wild rodents on farms with infected pigs (Duhamel, 2001). The natural occurrence of B. hyodysenteriae in other mammalian and avian species has not been verified.…”

“…Wildliving waterbirds in Australia and the United States seem to be commonly infected (Swayne & McLaren, 1997;Oxberry et al, 1998). Waterbirds have been suggested as potential natural reservoirs and transmitters of Brachyspira pilosicoli to animals and humans (Oxberry et al, 1998;Duhamel, 2001). …”

Study of Animal-Borne Infections in the Mucosas of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Population-Based Controls

“…Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is the causative agent of swine dysentery, a disease of actively growing pigs, and Brachyspira pilosicoli is associated with intestinal spirochetosis of pigs in the postweaning period, dogs, birds, and humans (usually those that are immunocompromised) (14). Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a species of bacteria that is distributed globally (2).…”

Hibridização in situ fluorescente para diagnóstico de Brachyspira hyodysenteriae e B. pilosicoli em suínos

“…Para o grupo da B. pilosicoli, a observação "falso bordo em escova" foi previamente descrito por Trott et al (1996) e Duhamel (2001). Porém, essa alteração não é evidente em todos os casos, tendo sido encontrada em apenas duas dentre as dez avaliadas.…”