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Brachyspira pilosicoli isolated from pigs in Japan

Chollada Tasu1, Takusuke Tanaka, Toshiya Tanaka

  • 1Animal Health Laboratory, School of Agriculture, Ibaraki University, Japan.

The Journal of Veterinary Medical Science
|August 7, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study reports the first isolation of Brachyspira pilosicoli, a type of intestinal spirochete, from pigs in Japan. Two isolates showed unique DNA sequences and characteristics consistent with B. pilosicoli.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Intestinal spirochetes, particularly Brachyspira pilosicoli, are known pathogens in swine.
  • Previous studies have focused on B. pilosicoli in other regions, with limited data from Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize intestinal spirochete isolates from pigs in Japan.
  • To determine the prevalence and specific identification of Brachyspira pilosicoli in Japanese swine populations.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and culturing of weak beta-hemolytic spirochetes from porcine intestinal samples.
  • 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing for unique base alignment identification.
  • Morphological characterization (length, diameter, flagella) and biochemical testing (hippurate, indole).

Main Results:

  • Two of four isolates exhibited a unique TTTTTT base alignment in their 16S ribosomal DNA, identifying them as Brachyspira pilosicoli.
  • The identified isolates measured 4.2-11 µm in length and 0.2-0.3 µm in diameter, with four periplasmic flagella at each end.
  • These isolates were hippurate positive and indole negative.
  • The other two isolates could not be identified by this method.

Conclusions:

  • This research marks the first documented isolation of Brachyspira pilosicoli from pigs in Japan.
  • The findings highlight the presence of this swine pathogen in Japan and provide a basis for further epidemiological studies.

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