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|species =''B. pilosicoli''
|species =''B. pilosicoli''
}}
}}
==Introduction==
Brachyspira pilosicoli is a gram negative spiral shaped obligate anaerobe [[Bacteria|bacterium]], closely related to [[Brachyspira hyodysenteriae]] and one of the ''[[Spirochaetes]]'' family. The bacterium is loosely coiled and is 6-11µm long. It is only weakly haemolytic in contract to B. hyodysenteriae.
==Pathogenesis==
The bacterium may have 8-12 flagellae, inserted at each pole of the cell and has a lipopolysaccharide cell wall which also acts as a virulence factor.
This pathogen can also cause zoonotic disease in people.
==Lifecycle==
Infection of ''B.pilosicoli'' is acquired via ingestion of contaminated faeces.
Once in the [[Alimentary System|Alimentary tract]], the flagellae allow the bacterium to move through the mucus in the intestine and thus reach and invade its target cells in the large intestine.
The organism remains infective for long periods in organic matter but is inactivated by sunlight.
The pathogen has been isolated from dogs, birds and humans. Dogs are thought to be a source of infection for people.
The bacteria's motility in mucous allows colonisation of pig intestine. It's haemolytic and cytotoxic activiity is important for virulence. The attachment of ''B. pilosicoli'' to epithelial cells of colonic mucosa disrupts their function and leads to their shedding and oedema.
==Diagnosis==
==Pathogenesis==
The attachment of ''B. pilosicoli'' to epithelial cells of colonic mucosa causes oedema, haemorrhage and leucocyte infiltration, thus disrupting their function and leading to cell exfoliation and malabsorption. The invasion of goblet cells can also lead to secretory [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]].
Toxins and proteins released by B. pilosicoli have haemolytic and cytotoxic effects. Its membranous LPS also contains an endotoxin (lipid A).
==Literature Search==
==Diseases==
[[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]
B. pilosicoli is the cause of '''[[Porcine Intestinal Spirochaetosis|porcine intestinal spirochaetosis]]''' which is a much milder disease than the [[Swine Dysentery]] caused by [[Brachyspira hyodysenteriae]].
Presence of the spirochaetes in grey-pink diarrhoeal faeces is diagnostic.
{{Learning
|literature search= [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Brachyspira+pilosicoli%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=42&y=14&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all ''Brachyspira pilosicoli'' publications]
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Brachyspira+pilosicoli%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=42&y=14&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all ''Brachyspira pilosicoli'' publications]
|flashcards = [[Brachyspira pilosicoli Flashcards|B. pilosicoli Flashcards]]
}}
==References==
<references/>
Hirsh, D. C., Maclachan, N. J., Walker, R. L (19) Veterinary Microbiology. Pp131-133. Wiley-Blackwell, London.
[[Category:Brachyspira_and_Serpulina]][[Category:Pig Bacteria]]
[[Category:Brachyspira_and_Serpulina]][[Category:Pig Bacteria]] [[Category:To Do - CABI review]]
[[Category:To Do - Steph]]