Proceedings

Occurrence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli in Polish pig herds

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Abstract

Pathogenic intestinal spirochetes of pigs include Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the cause of swine dysentery, and Brachyspira pilosicoli, the cause of porcine colonic spirochetosis. Most Brachyspira species have a restricted host range, whereas B. pilosicoli colonizes a wide range of hosts including humans and has natural potential to be transmitted between species (Hampson and Burrough 2019). There is potential for zoonotic transmission, especially in places where animals and humans live in close proximity, or for people working with intensively farmed pigs or chickens due to increased risk of exposure. Some species of the genus Brachyspira including B. pilosicoli can cause disease in human. There are few reports about B. pilosicoli-associated human intestinal spirochetosis (HIS). Most of these studies have involved observation of colorectal biopsy specimens that show spirochetes attached to the epithelial surface, to form a “false brush border” (Hampson 2018).

How to Cite:

Dors, A., Czyżewska-Dors, E., Furtak, E. & Woźniakowski, G., (2019) “Occurrence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli in Polish pig herds”, SafePork 13(1), 142–143. doi: https://doi.org//safepork.11394