Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
11:04
The Citrobacter rodentium Mouse Model: Studying Pathogen and Host Contributions to Infectious Colitis
Published on: February 19, 2013
Infective colitis associated with human intestinal spirochetosis
Adriana Calderaro1, Simona Bommezzadri, Chiara Gorrini
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Section of Microbiology, University of Parma, Parma, Italy. adriana.calderaro@unipr.it
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|October 5, 2007
Summary
Intestinal spirochetosis, though rare, can cause chronic diarrhea. This study identified Brachyspira species in patients, suggesting metronidazole as an effective treatment for this colonic disease.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Intestinal spirochetosis is a colonic infection caused by Brachyspira species.
- Its role in chronic diarrhea and associated pathology remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detect and identify intestinal spirochetosis in patients with colonic diseases.
- To describe the clinical and pathological features of diagnosed cases.
- To evaluate treatment options for intestinal spirochetosis.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of 8323 patients undergoing colonoscopy and histopathology.
- Suspected cases underwent microbiological investigation including culture and molecular methods (16S RFLP-PCR, nox RFLP-PCR).
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was utilized for histopathological examination.
Main Results:
- Seventeen cases of intestinal spirochetosis were diagnosed.
- Infections were caused by Brachyspira aalborgi, Brachyspira pilosicoli, or other Brachyspira species.
- Histopathology and microbiological methods confirmed the infections, with TEM aiding diagnosis in some cases.
Conclusions:
- Intestinal spirochetosis may contribute to chronic diarrhea through microvilli destruction and colitis.
- Metronidazole is suggested as the primary treatment for eradicating intestinal spirochetosis.
- Further clinical and pathological data on intestinal spirochetosis are provided.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes
Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a...
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...