Intestinal Spirochaetes and Brachyspiral colitis
David J Hampson
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
Murdoch University
Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9360 2287
Fax: +61 8 9319 4144
Email: d.hampson@murdoch.edu.au
Microbiology Australia 34(1) 34-37 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA13011
Published: 20 March 2013
Abstract
The 'intestinal spirochaetes' are a group of anaerobic bacteria assigned to various species in the genus Brachyspira. They inhabit the large intestines of birds and animals – but also may be found in human beings. These bacteria first came to prominence in the early 1970s when a spirochaete named Treponema hyodysenteriae (now Brachyspira hyodysenteriae) was shown to be the agent of swine dysentery, a colonic infection of pigs that is endemic in many countries and is of considerable economic significance. Since the initial description, related spirochaetes have been identified and characterised and various name changes have occurred – finally resulting in the genus Brachyspira and its seven officially recognised species. Many different hosts are colonised with the various Brachyspira species, but disease is mainly reported in pigs and in adult chickens. Humans are colonised with the zoonotic Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira aalborgi. Reduced susceptibility to various antimicrobials is now starting to represent a major problem for effective control of Brachyspiral colitis in pigs and other species, and consequently attention is focusing on the development of new vaccines. The Brachyspira species have specialised growth requirements, and different species can take from three days to three weeks to form a thin film of visible growth on selective isolation plates. Genetic manipulation of individual strains remains difficult, and this has limited understanding of gene function and disease pathogenesis. Recently whole genomic sequencing projects have started to reveal much that was previously unknown about these specialised bacteria.
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