Brachyspira and Borrelia

Question 1

T/F: Axial filaments are characteristic of spirochetes

Answer 1

TRUE

same thing as endoflagella - located within the peri-plasmic space

Question 2

What bacteria is responsible for causing swine dysentery? What age group is affected?

Answer 2

Brachyspira hyosenteria

In post weaning piglets age 6-12 wks

Obligate parasite of the colon of pigs

Question 3

Choose the incorrect statement:

1. Swine dysentery is caused by Brachyspira hyodysentriae
2. This bacteria causes lesions mainly in the duodenum and ileum
3. This dz affects young animals
4. Asymptomatic carriers are involved in the transmission

Answer 3

2

Lesions are found in the LARGE intestine only - Cecum and colon

Question 4

Choose the incorrect statement:

1. Lyme Dz is caused by Borrelia burgdorferri
2. Lyme Dz is an arthropod borne dz
3. Antigenic variation in outer surface proteins of this bacteria is a major virulence factor
4. The Dz is confirmed if antibodies are detected in the patient

Answer 4

4

The presence of antibodies gives you an idea but it is not a 100% confirmation of dz

Question 5

T/F: B hydosenteriae is associated with pseudomembrane formation

Answer 5

TRUE

Question 6

What clinical signs/post mortem signs may you see in a piglet with swine dysentery and how long do they last?

Answer 6

Hemorrhagic dhr, excessive mucus production and fibrinonectrotic pseudomembranous colitis

Infection can last for several weeks

Question 7

T/F: B. hydosenteriae infections are associated with gram negative bacteremia and DIC

Answer 7

TRUE

This can happen when gram negative endotoxins enter the blood stream via the erosion made by brachyspira infection

Question 8

What stains can be used on fecal samples when looking for B. hyosenteriae? Stains used for histo?
What are other methods of dx?

Answer 8

Fecal - Victoria blue and Giemsa stains

Histo - Silver staining

Anaerobic culture and PCR

Question 9

What other (2) pathogens create similar lesions to the ones caused by swine dysentery?

Answer 9

Salmonella

Classical swine fever

Question 10

T/F: Treating pigs with swine dysentery is cost effective

Answer 10

FALSE - very expensive

Focus should be on control and management - breed for specific pathogen free (SPF) piglets and practice good hygiene

Question 11

What is unique about the chromosome of Borrelia burgdorferi?

Answer 11

It is linear

Question 12

What animals may you see lyme dz in?

Answer 12

Dogs, horses, cattle, sheep

**humans

Question 13

What are the most important virulence factors of B. burgdorferi?

Answer 13

Antigenic variation of the outer surface proteins

Question 14

T/F: Dogs with lyme dz often become seriously ill

Answer 14

False

Many dogs are subclinical

Question 15

What point of care test can be run in your animal hospital to test for lyme dz? Is it 100% accurate?

Answer 15

Snap test (ELISA)

not 100% accurate

Question 16

Is the lyme vaccine for dogs effective at preventing lyme dz?

Answer 16

No - it does not prevent infection but will decreased the severity if that animal becomes infected

Question 17

What antimicrobial is used to tx Lyme dz in dogs

Answer 17

Doxycycline

Question 18

T/F: Tick control is a high priority in the prevention of Lyme dz

Answer 18

TRUE

dogs in endemic areas can be vaccinated as well