Changes

Also Known As – '''''PIS – Porcine colonic spirochaetosis – Spirochaetal diarrhoea'''''

Also Known As: '''''PIS — Porcine Colonic Spirochaetosis — Spirochaetal Diarrhoea'''''

Caused By – ''Brachyspira pilosicoli''

Caused By: '''''[[Brachyspira pilosicoli]]''

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

[[File:Intestinal spirochetosis - cropped - very high mag.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Intestinal spirochetosis - note the hyperchromatic fuzzy appearance of the brush border adjacent to the lumen. This is the attached spirochaetes. Wikimedia Commons.]]

[[File:Intestinal spirochetosis - cropped - very high mag.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Intestinal spirochetosis - note the hyperchromatic fuzzy appearance of the brush border adjacent to the lumen. This is the attached spirochaetes. Wikimedia Commons.]]

Porcine spirochaetosis is a '''[[Alimentary System - Anatomy & Physiology|gastrointestinal]] disease of pigs''' caused by the '''gram negative anaerobic''' [[Bacteria|bacterium]], '''''Brachyspira pilosicoli'''''. The bacterium can be recognised by its 8-12 flagellae, inserted at each pole of the cell.

Porcine spirochaetosis is a '''gastrointestinal disease of pigs''' caused by the '''gram negative anaerobic''' bacterium, '''''[[Brachyspira pilosicoli]]'''''.  

The pathogen colonises the '''lumen and crypts of the large intestine''', attaching firmly at one end of the cell to the epithelium.  

The pathogen colonises the '''lumen and crypts of the large intestine''', attaching firmly at one end of the cell to the epithelium.  

Porcine spirochaetosis is present in many significant pig rearing countries, including the '''UK, Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, Brazil and Australasia.'''

Porcine spirochaetosis is present in many significant pig rearing countries, including the '''UK, Europe, Scandinavia, USA, Canada, Brazil and Australasia.'''

Transmission is mainly '''faecal: oral.'''

Transmission is mainly '''faecal: oral.''' The bacterium can remain viable in lake water for up to 2 months, providing another route of transmission. Birds and rodents may act as vectors for disease.

The bacterium can remain viable in lake water for up to 2 months, providing another route of transmission.

Birds and rodents may act as vectors for disease.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

''B. pilosicoli'' has also been isolated from '''people, dogd, waterfowl, chickens and guinea pigs.'''

''B. pilosicoli'' has also been isolated from '''people, dogs, waterfowl, chickens and guinea pigs.''' Clinical disease is most common in pigs followed by birds.  

Clinical disease is most common in pigs followed by birds.  

'''Overcrowding and movement''' of pigs between sites predisposes them to infection and clinical disease.  

'''Overcrowding and movement''' of pigs between sites predisposes them to infection and clinical disease.  

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Clinical disease is generally '''mild.'''

Clinical disease is generally '''mild.''' The signs include '''grey or grey-green [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]''' which may contain blood or mucus, colitis, '''sub-optimal growth rates and feed efficiency.''' Pigs may require up to 28 additional days to reach slaughter weight.

 

'''Grey or grey-green [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]''' which may contain blood or mucus, and colitis

 

'''Sub-optimal growth rates and feed efficiency.''' Pigs may require up to 28 additional days to reach slaughter weight.

Occasionally, pigs may become depressed and lethargic.

Occasionally, pigs may become depressed and lethargic.

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Brachyspira pilosicoli datasheet''', accessed 16/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Brachyspira pilosicoli datasheet''', accessed 16/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/

[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]

 

[[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Pig]]

[[Category:CABI Expert Review]]