Brachyspira (Serpulina) Lawsonia Treponema Flashcards
What family does Brachyspira belong to?
Family Spirochaetaceae
Brachyspira Gram__? Shape?
Gram negative Spiral shaped
Brachyspira Aerobe/Non-aerobe?
Oxygen-tolerate Obligate anaerobes
Brachyspira Where do they typically colonize?
Large Intestine
Look at this chart on species variations
*Chart*
Look at map of distribution
*Map* Said in class: North Carolina too
Brachyspira - Pathogens in the genus
B. hyodysenteriae B. pilosicoli B. aalborgi Controversial ones: B. intermedia (avian spirochetosis) B. murdochii, B. innocens, B. canis
**Brachyspira hyodysenteriae**
Swine dysentary!! -Actively growin pigs (6-12wks) **Only strongly beta-hemolytic strain** **Indole Positive**
Brachyspira pilosicoli
Colonic /Intestinal Spirochetosis -Pigs (post-wean), dogs, birds, immunocompromised humans
Brachyspira aalborgi
Human spirochetosis (rare)
Brachyspira- Virulence factors
Cell Wall Flagella
Brachyspira - Cell Wall 2 virulence factors
LPS Hemolysin/ Cytotoxin
Brachyspira - LPS
More like LOS, short/variable O-antigen repeats Endotoxin/Lipid A
Brachyspira- Hemolysin/Cytotoxin
**B. Hyodysenteriae=strongly beta hemolytic** Pore-forming cytotoxin : goblet & colonial epithelial cell damage
Brachyspira - Flagella
Necessary for virulence! -Move through intestinal mucus to access target cells
Brachyspira- Reservoir
Can persist in environment for months if protected from desiccation
Brachyspira Reservoir B. hyodysenteriae
**Asymptomatic carrier pigs** -Mice, shed for <6 months -Dogs, rats, birds
Brachyspira Reservoir B pilosicoli
Isolated from dogs, birds, many mammals, humans Attach to intestinal mucosa is key to carriage
Brachyspira - Transmission
All species - Fecal-Oral
Brachyspira Pathogenesis
Colon colonized==> Inflammation, cytotoxins, PMNS==> Superficial coagulation necrosis with epithelial erosion in mucosa/submucosa -Edema, hyperemia, hemorrhages Failure of colonic absorption
Brachyspira - Signs
Secretory diarrhea Grey to strawberry-colored feces Dehydration - acidotic & hyperkalemic High morbidity, 40% mortality Lasts several weeks Asymptomatic shedders difficult to ID