Spirochaetal Invasion of the Colonic Epithelium in Swine Dysentery

Comparative analysis of the genomes of intestinal spirochetes of human and animal origin

“…Vibriolike species, including Vibrio coli, were suggested to be responsible for the disease, although transient nonhemorrhagic diarrhea was produced by these organisms (12,18,24). It was only in 1971, however, that a spirochete, Treponema hyodysenteriae, was recognized as the true etiological agent on the basis of its ability to reproduce epithelium invasion and hemorrhagic dysentery in experimental animals (15,23,(33)(34)(35). This microorganism was described as a motile, spiral-shaped, gram-negative bacterium, which proved to be a facultative anaerobe and to possess hemolytic properties in vitro.…”

Studies on the etiology, hematology, and pathology of swine dysentery

“…There was a double membrane around both giving a total diameter of 0.35 to 0.37 ;jm. They expanded their work in a subsequent paper (Taylor and Blakemore, 1971). Sites for examination by electron micros copy were chosen from the colon where the epithelium was intact but had been damaged.…”

“…1968). Spirochetes have been associated with the lesions (Vallejo, 1969;Taylor and Blakemore, 1971) although their significance has not been adequately evaluated.…”

Immunologic response of swine to solubilized outer envelope components of Treponema hyodysenteriae

“…Electron microscopy provided an insight into the causative asent when Taylor and Blakemore (1971) and Glock (1971) demonstrated a spirochete associated with the colonic tissue in affected swine. Taylor and Alexander (1971) were able to culture this organism on horse blood agar and reproduce the disease in susceptible pigs.…”

“…Swine dysentery is described as a catarrhal enteritis with hemor rhage, affecting only the large intestine. Lesions (Whiting et al, 1921;Taylor and Blakemore, 1971;Glock and Harris, 1972) consist grossly of ascites and a hyperemic, edematous colon. Blood is consistently found in the lumen.…”