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Human intestinal spirochaetosis in two ulcerative colitis patients
Junichi Iwamoto1, Sho Ogata, Akira Honda
1Department of Gastroenterology, Tokyo Medical University Ibaraki Medical Center, Japan.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|September 17, 2014
Summary
Brachyspira infection, characterized by "fringe formation," was identified in ulcerative colitis patients. Treatment with metronidazole improved ulcerative lesions, suggesting intestinal spirochaetosis as a potential complication.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
- Long-term steroid therapy is common in UC management, potentially increasing infection risk.
Observation:
- Histological examination of colonic biopsies revealed "fringe formation" in ulcerative lesions of two UC patients.
- Elevated antibody titers to Brachyspira aalborgi were detected in both individuals.
Findings:
- Both patients received a 14-day course of metronidazole (1,000 mg daily).
- Post-treatment colonoscopy demonstrated significant improvement in ulcerative lesions for both patients.
Implications:
- Intestinal spirochaetosis, caused by Brachyspira species, may be an opportunistic infection in UC patients.
- This finding suggests considering Brachyspira infection in UC patients with ulcerative lesions, especially those on immunosuppressive therapy.
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