The comparison of the intensity of human intestinal spirochetes between <i>Brachyspira pilosicoli</i> and <i>Brachyspira aalborgi</i> infections

Abstract

The agglutination titers of Brachyspira pilosicoli (B. pilosicoli) and Brachyspira aalborgi (B. aalborgi) were examined in colitis patients with human intestinal spirochetes. Among three cases of colitis patients, the titer of B. pilosicoli was extremely high in two cases while the titer of B. aalborgi was extremely high in one case. These three cases had symptoms of colitis, such as watery diarrhea, and we diagnosed the case as Brachyspira- related colitis. These findings suggest that the agglutination titers of Brachyspira may be useful in cases of Brachyspira- related colitis. Severe symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea, were observed in cases with high antibody titer of B. aalborgi, as well as B. pilosicoli, indicating that B. aalborgi could also cause symptomatic colitis.

Human intestinal spirochetosis, a sexually transmissible infection? Review of six cases from two sexually transmitted infection centres in Barcelona

“…However, spirochetes have exhibited a spectrum of pathogenesis which ranges from asymptomatic [8][9][10] to spirochetemia in critically ill patients (mostly by B. pilosicoli). 8,[11][12][13] In some studies, the association between B. aalborgi colonization and gastrointestinal problems remains unclear. 14,15 Thorrell et al 16 performed culture and whole-genome sequencing of the bacterial isolates in 17 patients with spirochetosis on biopsy, showing the predominance of B. aalborgi compared to B. pilosicoli.…”

Severe Colitis with Portal Venous Gas Caused by <i>Brachyspira pilosicoli</i> Infection

“…B. pilosicoli infects a wide range of animals, including dogs (2), but B. aalborgi is known to infect only humans and primates (1). Furthermore, almost all severe cases of intestinal spirochetes in the literature are B. pilosicoli infection (4,7,11,12), although B. aalborgi has been reported to be associated with asymptomatic infection or mild symptoms. Finally, B. pilosicoli infection was confirmed by a PCR assay in this case.…”

“…Previous studies have reported that B. aalborgi is mainly associated with asymptomatic intestinal spirochetosis (9,10), but B. pilosicoli sometimes induces mild gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloody stool (4,8). Some cases of bacteremia caused by B. pilosicoli infection have been reported previously (7,11,12).…”

“…Therefore, the clinical diagnosis of intestinal spirochetosis is commonly based on the histological finding of a dense “false brush border” or so-called fringe formation at the apical surfaces of colonic mucosa (5,6). The definitive diagnosis is usually made via non-routine methods, including polymerase chain reaction (PCR), electron microscopy and positivity of serum antibody titers against Brachyspira species (7).…”