Distribution of the clpX gene in Brachyspira species and reactivity of recombinant Brachyspira pilosicoli ClpX with sera from mice and humans.

Previously, a clpX gene encoding a predicted 67 kDa membrane-associated ATPase subunit of the Clp protease (ClpX) was identified in a porcine strain (95/1,000) of the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira pilosicoli. In the current study, the distribution of this large clpX gene was investigated in a collection of strains representing all seven Brachyspira spp. Using PCR with internal primers, an 878 bp portion of the gene was detected in 29 of 35 strains (83 %) of B. pilosicoli, 6 of 24 strains (25 %) of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, 14 of 16 strains (88 %) of Brachyspira intermedia, 6 of 17 strains (35 %) of Brachyspira innocens, 1 of 6 strains (17 %) of Brachyspira murdochii, 1 of 2 strains (50 %) of Brachyspira aalborgi and not in the single strain of Brachyspira alvinipulli. The whole gene was sequenced from 20 Brachyspira spp. strains and compared with the clpX gene from B. pilosicoli 95/1,000 (GenBank accession no. AY466377). The genes had 99.3-99.7 % nucleotide sequence similarity and the predicted products had 99.7-100 % amino acid sequence similarity. The clpX gene from WesB, a human strain of B. pilosicoli, was cloned and expressed as a histidine-tagged fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21. The purified protein was used to vaccinate mice and their sera were found to recognize the expected approximately 67 kDa protein in whole-cell preparations of WesB. Sera from mice vaccinated with formalin-treated whole-cell proteins of WesB reacted with the recombinant protein. These results indicate that ClpX is both conserved and immunogenic and hence might be useful as a subunit vaccine component for Brachyspira spp. infections. Sera from humans with no known exposure to B. pilosicoli reacted with the recombinant ClpX protein, indicating that it is unlikely to be useful as a reagent for serological detection of Brachyspira spp. infections.

The effect of fermentable carbohydrates on experimental swine dysentery and whip worm infections in pigs.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of diets with contrasting fermentability in the large intestine on experimental infections with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, the causative agent of swine dysentery, and the whip worm, Trichuris suis, in pigs. Two diets with organically grown ingredients were composed. Both diets were based on triticale and barley and supplemented with either rape seed cake (Diet 1) or dried chicory root and sweet lupins (Diet 2). The study had a three-factorial design, with eight groups of pigs receiving Diet 1 or Diet 2, +/-B. hyodysenteriae, and +/-T. suis. Pigs fed Diet 2 and challenged with B. hyodysenteriae did not develop swine dysentery and B. hyodysenteriae was not demonstrated in any of the pigs during the study. In contrast, 94% of the B. hyodysenteriae challenged pigs fed Diet 1 showed clinical symptoms of swine dysentery and all the pigs were shedding B. hyodysenteriae in faeces at some points in time during the experiment. The number of T. suis was lower in pigs fed Diet 2 compared to pigs fed Diet 1, but the differences were not significant. Pigs on Diet 1 and challenged with both pathogens showed clinical symptoms of SD for a longer period than pigs inoculated with B. hyodysenteriae only. The study showed that diets supplemented with highly fermentable carbohydrates from dried chicory roots and sweet lupins can protect pigs against developing swine dysentery, but do not have any significant influence on T. suis.

Colonic spirochetosis in animals and humans.

Colonic spirochetosis is a disease caused by the gram-negative bacteria Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli. B. pilosicoli induces disease in both humans and animals, whereas B. aalborgi affects only humans and higher primates. Symptoms in humans include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and abdominal cramps. Colonic spirochetosis is common in third world countries; however, in developed countries, the disease is observed mainly in homosexual males. Terminally ill patients infected with Brachyspira are particularly at risk for developing spirochetemia. Diarrhea, poor growth performance, and decreased feed-to-gain efficiency is seen in pigs with colonic spirochetosis. The disease in chickens is characterized by delayed and/or reduced egg production, diarrhea, poor feed conversion, and retarded growth. Thus, colonic spirochetosis can represent a serious economic loss in the swine and poultry industries. The organisms are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, and several studies have demonstrated that human, primate, pig, dog, or bird strains of B. pilosicoli can be transmitted to pigs, chickens, and mice. B. pilosicoli may be a zoonotic pathogen, and although it has not been demonstrated, there is a possibility that both B. pilosicoli and B. aalborgi can be transferred to humans via contact with the feces of infected animals, meat from infected animals, or food contaminated by food handlers. Neither B. pilosicoli nor B. aalborgi has been well characterized in terms of basic cellular functions, pathogenicity, or genetics. Studies are needed to more thoroughly understand these Brachyspira species and their disease mechanisms.

The Brachyspira hyodysenteriae ftnA gene: DNA vaccination and real-time PCR quantification of bacteria in a mouse model of disease.

The nucleotide sequence of the Brachyspira hyodysenteriae ftnA gene, encoding a putative ferritin protein (FtnA), was determined. Analysis of the sequence predicted that this gene encoded a protein of 180 amino acids. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the ftnA gene was expressed in B. hyodysenteriae, and evidence suggests that FtnA stores iron rather than haem. ftnA was delivered as DNA and recombinant protein vaccines in a mouse model of B. hyodysenteriae infection. Vaccine efficacy was monitored by caecal pathology and quantification of B. hyodysenteriae numbers in the caeca of infected mice by real-time PCR.

Protection of pigs from swine dysentery by vaccination with recombinant BmpB, a 29.7 kDa outer-membrane lipoprotein of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

Swine dysentery (SD) is an important endemic infection in many piggeries, and control can be problematic. In this study the efficacy of BmpB, a 29.7 kDa outer-membrane lipoprotein of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, was evaluated as an SD vaccine. Non-lipidated BmpB was expressed in Escherichia coli as a histidine-tagged protein (His6-BmpB), or as an 8 kDa carboxy-terminal portion fused to maltose-binding protein (MBP-BmpB-F604). The purified proteins were emulsified with oil-based adjuvants for intramuscular (im) administrations. In experiment 1, 20 weaner pigs were vaccinated im with 1 mg of His6-BmpB. After 3 weeks, 10 received 1 mg of the protein orally (im/oral), and 10 received 1 mg im (im/im). Ten acted as unvaccinated controls. In experiment 2, 12 pigs were vaccinated im with 1 mg of His6-BmpB, and 12 with 1 mg of MBP-BmpB-F604. Three weeks later, each was given 1 mg of the same protein orally. Twelve pigs acted as unvaccinated controls. All pigs were challenged orally with B. hyodysenteriae 2 weeks after their second vaccination. In both experiments, all pigs vaccinated with His6-BmpB developed serum antibodies to BmpB, and oral administration provided boosting of im-induced serum antibody titres. In experiment 1, seven non-vaccinated control pigs developed dysentery and severe colitis. Three pigs vaccinated im/oral developed diarrhoea; two had severe colitis and one had mild lesions. Four pigs vaccinated im/im developed diarrhoea; one had severe colitis and the others had mild lesions. In experiment 2, six control pigs developed SD with severe colitis. Two His6-BmpB vaccinated pigs developed SD with mild colitis. Nine pigs vaccinated with MBP-BmpB-F604 developed SD and severe colitis. Overall, 50-70% of controls and 17-40% of His6-BmpB vaccinated pigs developed disease. Vaccination with MBP-BmpB-F604 did not induce serum titres against BmpB, nor confer protection. The incidence of disease for the three His6-BmpB vaccinated groups was significantly less (P = 0.047) than for the control groups, with a approximately 50% reduction. BmpB appears to have potential as an SD vaccine component.

Survival of intestinal spirochaete strains from chickens in the presence of disinfectants and in faeces held at different temperatures.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of some commonly used disinfectants in inactivating the pathogenic avian intestinal spirochaetes Brachyspira intermedia and Brachyspira pilosicoli, and to examine spirochaete survival in chicken caecal faeces held at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C or 37 degrees C. Six disinfectants were evaluated at their recommended working concentrations: alkaline salts, quaternary ammonium, iodine as an iodophor, chlorine from a chlorine-release agent, glutaraldehyde and hydrogen peroxide. All but alkaline salts inactivated two different concentrations of both spirochaete species in less than 1 min in the presence of organic matter. Both spirochaete species at three different cell concentrations survived in caecal faeces at 37 degrees C for between 2 and 17 h. B. intermedia tended to survive for longer than B. pilosicoli, but the maximum survival time for both species at 4 degrees C was only 72 to 84 h. Hence, avian intestinal spirochaetes are rapidly inactivated by several common disinfectants, and their survival time in chicken caecal faeces is much less than has been reported for porcine intestinal spirochaetes in porcine faeces. It should be relatively easy to break the cycle of infection between batches of laying birds by resting sheds for a few days, and by using disinfectants on any residual faecal matter.

Influence of in-feed zinc bacitracin and tiamulin treatment on experimental avian intestinal spirochaetosis caused by Brachyspira intermedia.

Thirty individually caged layer hens were inoculated with Brachyspira intermedia, and 20 control birds remained unchallenged. Birds received a diet containing 100 parts/10(6) zinc bacitracin (ZnB), and were monitored for 10 weeks. B. intermedia was recovered sporadically from five of the inoculated birds, and there were no significant effects on body weight, faecal water or egg production. ZnB was presumed to be indirectly inhibiting spirochaete growth, and when removed from the diet, 18 of the 30 inoculated birds rapidly became culture positive. After 4 weeks, 10 of the 30 infected birds were treated with tiamulin at 25 mg/kg for 5 days, and 10 were returned to the diet containing ZnB. Birds receiving tiamulin became spirochaete negative and maintained their egg production, but re-infection occurred. The other 20 infected birds had a significant drop in egg production, but those receiving ZnB showed a reduced colonization by B. intermedia after 3 weeks.

Dietary enzyme and zinc bacitracin reduce colonisation of layer hens by the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira intermedia.

Brachyspira intermedia strain HB60 was used to experimentally infect 40 individually caged 22-week-old laying hens. Another 10 control birds were sham-inoculated with sterile broth. All chickens received an experimental layer diet based on wheat. The infected birds were randomly divided into four groups of 10, with the diet for each group containing either 50 ppm zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 100 ppm ZnB, 256 ppm of dietary enzyme (Avizyme), 1302), or no additive. Birds were kept for 6 weeks after infection, and faecal excretion of B. intermedia, faecal water content, egg numbers, egg weights and body weights were recorded weekly. Control birds remained uninfected throughout the experiment. B. intermedia was isolated significantly less frequently from the groups of experimentally infected birds receiving ZnB at 50 ppm or enzyme than from those receiving 100 ppm ZnB or no treatment. Infected birds had a transient increase in faecal water content in the week following challenge, but no other significant production differences were detected amongst the five groups of birds in subsequent weeks. It was not established how the ZnB at 50 ppm and the dietary enzyme reduced the ability of the spirochaete to colonise, but it may have been by bringing about changes in the intestinal microflora and/or the intestinal microenvironment.

Effect of highly fermentable dietary fiber on the development of swine dysentery and on pig performance in a "Pure--Culture Challenge Model".

This study tried to evaluate the effect of highly fermentable fiber on the incidence and severity of swine dysentery (SD) after experimental oral infection with pure cultures of Brachyspira (B.) hyodysenteriae. Forty eight growing pigs were allocated to two groups and treated until slaughter as follows: Group 1 (n = 24): infected with B. hyodysenteriae and fed with a food containing 9.6% highly fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Group 2 (n = 24): infected with B. hyodysenteriae and fed with a food containing 6.1% low fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Pigs of each group were intragastrically inoculated on each of three consecutive days with pure culture of 1.8 x 10(10) B. hyodysenteriae. All pigs were monitored daily until slaughter. Faecal shedding of B. hyodysenteriae by polymerase chain reaction, antibody response by IFA, clinical signs, growth performance and extents of gross and microscopical lesions specific for swine dysentery were determined. Faecal shedding of B. hyodysenteriae and antibodies specific for B. hyodysenteriae were detected at day 30 post infectionem. Significant (p < 0.05) milder clinical signs typical for swine dysentery were detected in group 1, fed with 9.6% high fermentable fiber compared to group two fed with a food containing 6.1% low fermentable neutral detergent fiber. Daily weight gain differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups (group one 780 g vs. group two 760 g). Food conversion efficiency showed in group one a significant (p < 0.05) better (3.28) result than in group two (3.38). Feed consumption presented significantly (p < 0.001) better results in group one compared to group two (2.38 kg vs. 2.25 kg). From our experimental findings we conclude that in production units suffering of swine dysentery high levels of highly fermentable fiber in diet may increase health and performance.

Eradication of endemic Brachyspira pilosicoli infection from a farrowing herd: a case report.

Brachyspira pilosicoli and B. innocens were isolated repeatedly from a herd of 60 sows which mostly produced feeder pigs but also raised some fattening pigs. Postweaning diarrhea had been a severe problem in this herd for years. The B. pilosicoli eradication plan was based on the general guidelines for elimination of B. hyodysenteriae, with some modifications. The eradication measures were run in August 1997. In-feed medication with 200 p.p.m. tiamulin lasted for 18-30 days, depending on the age group. The piggery unit was emptied, cleaned, disinfected and dried, and all worn surfaces were repaired. The animals were removed to temporary sheds situated 0-100 m from the piggery unit. Only the sows and the boar returned to the piggery unit. All other pigs were sold from the sheds within 3 months after the eradication. Immediately after the eradication, the clinical postweaning diarrhea disappeared. The success of the program was monitored four times bacteriologically, and the last control sampling was in December 1999, 7 months after the total withdrawal of antimicrobial feed additives. The primary cultures from the last three samplings were also analysed with B. pilosicoli-specific PCR. All the samples were negative for B. pilosicoli. However, B. innocens could be isolated from each batch of samples. The analysis of B. innocens isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that at least one genotype persisted in the herd. The clinical and laboratory findings suggest that the eradication of B. pilosicoli had succeeded in this herd.

Minimal prophylactic concentration of dietary zinc compounds in a mouse model of swine dysentery.

Dietary supplementation with 6000 mg of Zn2+/kg of feed has been shown to modify the clinicopathologic expression of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection in a laboratory mouse model of swine dysentery. However, this concentration impaired the body weight gain of the mice. The purpose of the present study was to determine a minimal prophylactic concentration of feed-grade zinc compounds that would not affect the growth of mice challenge-exposed with B. hyodysenteriae. A total of 440, 6- to 8-week-old, C3H/HeN mice were allocated randomly to groups and fed either a defined diet or a defined diet containing either 1000, 2000 or 4000 mg/kg ZnO, ZnSO4 or zinc-methionine for 7 days before intragastric inoculation with B. hyodysenteriae. From days 7 to 35 after inoculation, mice in each group were necropsied at weekly intervals for determination of body weight, presence of B. hyodysenteriae in the cecum, and histological assessment of cecal lesions. Only ZnO fed at 2000 mg/kg had a prophylactic effect against B. hyodysenteriae infection without affecting the body weight gain of the mice. The prophylactic effect of Zn2+ against infection with B. hyodysenteriae was also affected by the relative concentration of Fe2+ and Zn2+/Fe2+ ratio of the diet.

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid modulates phenotype and effector functions of porcine CD8(+) lymphocytes.

In vivo vaccination and challenge studies have demonstrated that CD8(+) lymphocytes are essential for the development of cell-mediated protection against intracellular pathogens and neoplastic cells. Depletion of peripheral blood CD8(+) cells interferes with clearance of viruses and intracellular fungi, induction of delayed type hypersensitivity responses and antitumoral activity. In contrast to humans or mice, porcine peripheral CD8(+) lymphocytes are characterized by a heterogeneous expression pattern (i.e., CD8alphabeta and CD8alphaalpha) that facilitates the study of distinctive traits among minor CD8(+) cell subsets. A factorial (2 x 2) arrangement within a split-plot design, with 16 blocks of two littermate pigs as the experimental units for immunization treatment (i.e., unvaccinated or vaccinated with a proteinase-digested Brachyspira hyodysenteriae bacterin) and pig within block as the experimental unit for dietary treatment (soybean oil or conjugated linoleic acid) were used to investigate the phenotypic and functional regulation of CD8(+) cells by dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Dietary CLA supplementation induced in vivo expansion of porcine CD8(+) cells involving T-cell receptor (TCR)gammadeltaCD8alphaalpha T lymphocytes, CD3(-)CD16(+)CD8alphaalpha (a porcine natural killer cell subset), TCRalphabetaCD8alphabeta T lymphocytes and enhanced specific CD8(+)-mediated effector functions (e.g., granzyme activity). Expansion of peripheral blood TCRalphabetaCD8alphabeta cells was positively correlated (r = 0.89, P < 0.01) with increased percentages of CD8alphabeta(+) thymocytes. Functionally, CLA enhanced the cytotoxic potential of peripheral blood lymphocytes and proliferation of TCRgammadeltaCD8alphaalpha cells. Collectively, these results indicate that dietary CLA enhances cellular immunity by modulating phenotype and effector functions of CD8(+) cells involved in both adaptive and innate immunity.

Presence of 22-kDa protein reacting with sera in piglets experimentally infected with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

In order to examine the effect of spectinomycin on outbreaks of swine dysentery, experimental infection of piglets with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae was carried out. Feed with and without spectinomycin (SP) was given to each piglet ad libitum and the susceptibility of the piglets to infection with B. hyodysenteriae was compared between SP-treated and untreated piglets. The results showed that the SP-treated piglets did not display clinical signs of swine dysentery unlike the untreated piglets. The sera obtained from these piglets were examined by the microscopic agglutination test and antibodies to B. hyodysenteriae in both groups of experimentally infected piglets were detected and the reaction was serogroup-specific. The agglutination titers were very high in the untreated piglets with dysentery while the titers in the SP-treated piglets were lower than those in the untreated piglets. In addition, the immunoblotting technique was applied and the results demonstrated that 22- and 17-kDa proteins in strain ATCC 31212 (serogroup B) reacted strongly with the sera from the untreated piglets but not with the sera from the SP-treated piglets. The 22- and 17-kDa proteins also reacted with strain ATCC 27164 (serogroup A) which belongs to a different serogroup. The 22- and 17-kDa proteins were also confirmed in six other strains of B. hyodysenteriae which belong to six different serogroups. These proteins were sensitive to proteinase K. These results indicate that the 22- and 17-kDa proteins are common to eight strains of B. hyodysenteriae which differ serologically from each other.

Influences of diet and vaccination on colonisation of pigs by the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira (Serpulina) pilosicoli.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether methods used to control swine dysentery (SD), caused by the intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae, would also be effective in controlling porcine intestinal spirochaetosis (PIS) caused by the related spirochaete Brachyspira (Serpulina) pilosicoli. Weaner pigs in Groups I (n=8) and II (n=6) received a standard weaner pig diet based on wheat and lupins, whilst Group III (n=6) received an experimental diet based on cooked white rice and animal protein. Pigs in Group II were vaccinated intramuscularly twice at a 3-week-interval with a formalinised bacterin made from B. pilosicoli porcine strain 95/1000 resuspended in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Eleven days later pigs in all groups were infected orally with 10(10) cells of strain 95/1000 on three successive days. One control pig in Group I developed acute diarrhoea, and at post-mortem had a severe erosive colitis with end-on attachment of spirochaetes to the colonic epithelium. All other pigs developed transient mild diarrhoea and had moderate patchy colitis at post-mortem 3 weeks later. B. pilosicoli was isolated from the faeces of all pigs, except for one fed rice, and was isolated from the mesenteric nodes of three pigs from Group I and from one vaccinated pig in Group II. Consumption of the rice-based diet, but not vaccination, delayed and significantly (p<0.001) reduced the onset of faecal excretion of B. pilosicoli after experimental challenge. Vaccination induced a primary and secondary serological response to B. pilosicoli, as measured using sonicated whole cells of strain 95/1000 as an ELISA plate coating antigen. Antibody titres in the vaccinated pigs then declined, despite intestinal colonisation by B. pilosicoli. Both groups of unvaccinated animals also failed to develop a post-infection increase in circulating antibody titres.

Diarrhea in growing-finishing swine.

Regardless of the etiology of an enteric disease in nursery age to finisher swine, making a prompt and accurate diagnosis is crucial. Eliciting a complete history, assessing clinical signs and pathology, and selecting and interpreting laboratory tests are essential components in achieving this. Early detection and diagnosis of enteric disease is particularly critical in the nursery through finisher phase because of economic impacts. Recurrent topics when discussing control and prevention of enteric diseases are reducing stress and improving pig comfort and reducing or eliminating exposure through sanitation and biosecurity. These are not new concepts; in fact, prior to the advent of antimicrobials, they were the mainstay of treatment of enteric diseases. With concern over the use of antimicrobials in food animal production increasing, exploiting disease ecology to control enteric diseases is increasing in importance. New vaccines and bacterins for postweaning swine enteric diseases are needed tools to exploit the pig's immune system. Recent advances in diagnostic capabilities allow an increase in understanding and exploitation of disease ecology.

Systemic and mucosal immune responses of pigs to parenteral immunization with a pepsin-digested Serpulina hyodysenteriae bacterin.

Serpulina hyodysenteriae infection of pigs, swine dysentery, causes a mucohemorrhagic diarrhoea resulting in significant economic losses to swine producers. The pathogenesis of this disease is poorly understood. Regardless, commercial vaccines have been developed and are in use. Thus, the present study was designed to examine cellular immune responses induced by parenteral S. hyodysenteriae vaccination. Significant antigen-specific interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and blastogenic responses were detected from peripheral blood lymphocytes isolated from vaccinated pigs. However, poor IFN-gamma responses were detected from colonic lymph node lymphocytes from these same pigs despite significant antigen-specific blastogenic responses. In addition, peripheral blood IFN-gamma responses were diminished by either in vitro depletion of CD4 expressing cells or by in vitro treatment with porcine IL-10. Colonic lymph node IFN-gamma responses were not inhibited by treatment with porcine IL-10. Vaccination also resulted in increased percentages of both mucosal and peripheral blood CD8 single positive cells with concurrent decreases in percentages of CD4 single positive cells as compared to percentages of these same populations from non-vaccinated pigs. In conclusion, these studies show that parenteral S. hyodysenteriae vaccination results in cellular immune responses detectable both peripherally (systemic immunity) as well as at the site of infection (mucosal immunity). However, it appears that regulatory mechanisms affecting IFN-gamma production in response to S. hyodysenteriae antigen differ between peripheral and colonic compartments.

Prevalence of Serpulina species in relation to diarrhea and feed medication in pig-rearing herds in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of various pheno- and genotypes of Serpulina sp in young pigs in relation to diarrhea and feed medication in Swedish pig-rearing herds. DESIGN: Isolation of spirochetes. Phenotypical and genotypical classification. SAMPLE POPULATION: Young pigs (n = 358) in 19 pigrearing herds. PROCEDURE: Serpulina isolates were classified according to a biochemical scheme based on hemolysis, indole production, hippurate hydrolysis, and alpha-galactosidase, alpha-glucosidase, and beta-glucosidase activities. The 16S rRNA sequences for 10 of the field strains and 2 type strains of Serpulina spp were aligned and compared. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of olaquindox for 9 of the strains were determined. RESULTS: Weakly beta-hemolytic intestinal spirochetes (WBHIS) were isolated from 17 of the herds and 65% of the samples. More than 1 phenotype of WBHIS was found in 12 of the 19 herds. S hyodysenteriae was not isolated in any of the herds. Hippurate-positive WBHIS were isolated in 6 of 7 herds affected by diarrhea, but in only 1 of 8 herds without diarrhea. Hippurate-positive strains were closely related to the pathogenic strain P43 if judged from sequence comparisons. Strains with the same biochemical profile isolated within a herd had identical sequences, but when isolated from different herds, sequence differences were observed. The prevalence of WBHIS was reduced in herds medicated with olaquindox. Investigated field strains had minimum inhibitory concentration values < or = 1 microgram/ml for olaquindox. CONCLUSION: The presence of WBHIS, with the ability to hydrolyze hippurate, was related to diarrhea in pig herds. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Potentially pathogenic WBHIS can be distinguished from nonpathogenic strains by the hippurate hydrolysis test.

Pigs experimentally infected with Serpulina hyodysenteriae can be protected from developing swine dysentery by feeding them a highly digestible diet.

Weaner pigs (n = 72) were fed 1 of 4 diets. These were based on either cooked rice and animal protein, cooked rice and lupin, wheat and lupin, or wheat and animal protein. Twenty-six of the pigs were slaughtered after 1 month. Those fed the highly digestible cooked rice and animal protein diet had drier colonic contents and faeces, lighter large intestines, and the contents of their large intestines had increased pH values and decreased total VFA concentrations. The other 46 were orally challenged with broth cultures of Serpulina hyodysenteriae, and were monitored for faecal excretion of the spirochaetes, and for the development of swine dysentery (SD). None of 18 pigs fed the cooked rice and animal protein diet developed colonic changes or disease, whereas most pigs on the other diets developed mucohaemorrhagic colitis and dysentery. The reduced fermentation that occurred in the large intestines of pigs fed cooked rice and animal protein was associated with a subsequent failure of colonization by S. hyodysenteriae, and resultant protection against SD.

Prophylactic effect of dietary zinc in a laboratory mouse model of swine dysentery.

Reduced prevalence of diarrhea and mortality has been reported after dietary supplementation with zinc compounds in swine with naturally acquired colibacillosis and those challenge-exposed with Serpulina hyodysenteriae; however, the usefulness of this approach for control of enteric diseases of swine remains to be determined. To examine the effect of dietary zinc-containing compounds on the colonization and development of cecal lesions associated with S hyodysenteriae infection, a defined diet alone or with added ZnO, ZnSO4, or Zn-methionine complex to a final concentration of approximately 6,000 mg of Zn2+/kg of complete feed was fed ad libitum to 156 female mice (strain C3H/HeN) for 10 days prior to oral inoculation either with S hyodysenteriae or sterile trypticase soy broth. Rations were continued for 42 days, while at weekly intervals, 3 mice/group were necropsied for determination of body weight, cecal weight, liver zinc concentration, presence of S hyodysenteriae in the cecum, and gross and histologic assessments of cecal lesions. From postinoculation day 0 to 42, the liver zinc concentration of mice fed the zinc-supplemented diets was approximately twice that of mice fed the basal diet, irrespective of the source of zinc. From postinoculation day 7 through 42, the overall recovery rate of S hyodysenteriae in infected mice fed the basal diet was 77.8%. In contrast, recovery rates of S hyodysenteriae from S hyodysenteriae-inoculated mice fed the zinc-supplemented diets were 0% for Zn-methionine and ZnO and 16.7% for ZnSO4. Mice fed the basal diet had significantly (P < 0.05) higher weight gain than mice fed the zinc-supplemented diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of terdecamycin on experimentally induced swine dysentery in pigs.

The authors evaluated the effect of terdecamycin, a novel antibiotic, on experimentally induced Serpulina (S.) hyodysenteriae infection in pigs. In a prophylactic test, feed containing terdecamycin was fed to pigs for 7 days before inoculation and 21 days after inoculation. Dysenteric diarrhea, development of lesions in the large intestinal mucosa and colonization of S. hyodysenteriae in colonic mucosa were completely inhibited by treatment with 5 ppm or 10 ppm terdecamycin. In the therapeutic test, an unmedicated feed was fed to pigs inoculated with S. hyodysenteriae, until the typical mucohemorrhagic diarrhea appeared after inoculation, and was then changed to the medicated feed for 10 days. By treating with 20 ppm terdecamycin, the clinical signs in the pigs were improved and S. hyodysenteriae was completely eradicated.