Human intestinal spirochetosis – a review

Human Intestinal Spirochetosis Incompatible With Dysplastic Adenomatous Epithelium

“…(mainly B. aalborgi and B. pilosicoli) from other known pathogenic spirochetes, such as Treponema spp., Borrelia spp., and Leptospira spp. [1,2,4,[13][14][15][16]. Until today, many important questions still remain to be answered, e.g., incidence and prevalence rates in the general population, transmission, pathogenesis, host-microbe interaction, pathological and clinical significance, standardized treatment algorithm, and optimal follow-up protocol for symptomatic patients.…”

“…Although similar in aspects such as being slowly growing anaerobes and having slender tapered points, there are significant microbiological differences between the two main lineages of spirochetes, B. aalborgi and B. pilosicoli. Brachyspira aalborgi is one of the smallest Brachyspira, measuring 2-6 µm in length and 0.2 µm in diameter, with an estimated growth time of up to 2 weeks, and potentially pathogenic in humans, while B. pilosicoli (formerly Serpulina pilosicoli or Anguillina coli) is weakly beta-hemolytic, 4-20 µm in length and 0.2-0.5 µm in diameter, with an incubation time of six days, and likely pathogenic in humans, dogs, pigs, and poultry [16]. The latter was reported more densely colonized than B. aalborgi [3].…”

Every colon shouldn’t have a silver lining: an atypical case of colitis caused by a ‘commensal’ organism

“…Incidence is highest in men who have sex with men and HIV-positive individuals 2. The bacteria is shed in the faeces 3. Though often found incidentally, presentations with diarrhoea, pain and haematochezia are recognised.…”

Intestinal Spirochaetosis-A case series from the developing world

“…Bacterial invasion beyond the surface epithelial layer is attributed to the onset of symptoms; where such invasion has not occurred, individuals remain asymptomatic. 1 We present four cases diagnosed with intestinal spirochetosis presenting quite differently. (Shown in Table 1).…”

“…Intestinal spirochaetosis (IS) describes the attachment of spirochetal organisms to colonic epithelial cells. 1 It is more prevalent in those areas where living conditions are poor. Bacterial invasion beyond the surface epithelial layer is attributed to the onset of symptoms; where such invasion has not occurred, individuals remain asymptomatic.…”