Colorectal spirochetosis: clinical significance of the infestation

Mucosal biopsy specimens from 300 consecutive patients with symptoms requiring sigmoidoscopy were examined for spirochetosis by light and electron microscopy. Colorectal spirochetosis was detected in 15 of the patients (5%). Apart from the spirochetal infestation, the mucosa appeared normal with no inflammatory reaction. The spirochetes were eliminated upon treatment with neomycin and bacitracin, but the symptoms of the patients remained unchanged. It is concluded that in the present material, colorectal spirochetosis was without clinical significance.