| Intestinal spirochetosis | |
| Synonyms: | Intestinal spirochetes, colonic spirochetosis, colonic spirochetes, brachyspirosis |
| Field: | Infectious disease |
Human intestinal spirochetosis, often called just intestinal spirochetosis when the human context is implicit, is an infection of the colonic-type mucosa with certain species of spirochetal bacteria. Similar infections sometimes occur in pigs, dogs, and birds; porcine intestinal spirochaetosis is an economically important disease of livestock.
No clear association exists with complaints. However, potential associations include abdominal pain and watery diarrhea, which may be seen with blood; however, these findings are not specific and may be due to a number of other causes.[1]
Human intestinal spirochetosis is caused by Brachyspira pilosicoli and Brachyspira aalborgi.[2] Porcine and avian intestinal spirochetosis are caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira pilosicoli.
It is diagnosed by examination of tissue, i.e., biopsy.
Symptomatic individuals can be treated with oral metronidazole.