Brachyspira pilosicoli

B. pilosicoliis a spirochaetes. It is the cause of porcine intestinal spirochaetosis.

Pathogenesis

Infection of B.pilosicoli is acquired via contaminated faeces. The disease then spreads slowly through the herd. Dogs, rats, mice and flies may act as transport hosts.

B. pilosicoli causes less severe signs than swine dysentry. 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

Diagnosis can be made via the history, clinical signs and gross pathology of the animal. An anaerobic culture on blood agar with added antibiotics for at least 3 days can also be done. In addition to this, immunofluorescence, DNA probes and biochemical tests can be done. Serology using ELISA can be used on a herd basis, as can PCR.