Intestinale Spirochätose des Menschen - ein Review

Human intestinal spirochetosis (IS) is a condition defined histologically by the presence of spirochetal microorganisms attached to the apical cell membrane of the colorectal epithelium. Intestinal spirochetes comprise a heterogeneous group of bacteria. In humans, Brachyspira aalborgi and Brachyspira pilosicoli predominate. Prevalence rates of IS are low where living standards are high, in contrast to poorly developed areas where IS is common. Homosexuals and HIV-infected individuals are at high risk of being colonized. Clinical significance in individual cases has remained unclear up to now. A review of the literature assumes that invasion of spirochetes beyond the surface epithelium may be associated with gastrointestinal symptoms which respond to antibiotic treatment (metronidazole), whereas individuals lacking this feature may be mostly asymptomatic. Of unknown reason, homosexual and HIV-positive men as well as children are more likely to be symptomatic irrespective of invasion. Rare cases of spirochetemia and multiple organ failure have been reported in critically ill patients with IS.Die intestinale Spirochätose des Menschen (IS) wird histologisch definiert als ein dichter Saum von Spirochäten, der an der apikalen Zellmembran des interkryptalen Epithels des Dickdarms haftet. Die intestinalen Spirochäten umfassen eine heterogene Gruppe von Bakterien. Beim Menschen sind ganz überwiegend Brachispira aalborgi und Brachispira pilosicoli nachweisbar. Die Prävalenz der IS ist niedrig in Regionen hohen Lebens- und Hygienestandards im Gegensatz zu ärmeren Regionen, wo die IS häufig auftritt. Homosexuelle und HIV-positive Männer haben ein erhöhtes Besiedelungsrisiko. Die klinische Bedeutung der IS ist im Einzelfall bislang fraglich. Die Literaturübersicht lässt annehmen, dass bei der Schleimhautinvasion der Spirochäten klinische Symptome wahrscheinlich sind, die gut auf eine antibiotische Therapie (Metronidazol) ansprechen, während Personen ohne diesen Befund wohl meist symptomlos bleiben. Aus unbekannten Gründen leiden Homosexuelle, HIV-positive Personen wie auch Kinder eher an Beschwerden unabhängig von der Invasivität der Spirochäten. Spirochätämien und multiples Organversagen sind bei einzelnen, meist schwerkranken Patienten mit IS beschrieben worden

Oral treatment of chickens with Lactobacillus reuteri LM1 reduces Brachyspira pilosicoli-induced pathology

Avian intestinal spirochaetosis (AIS) results from the colonization of the caeca and colon of poultry by pathogenic Brachyspira, notably Brachyspira pilosicoli. Following the ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in the European Union in 2006, the number of cases of AIS has increased, which, alongside emerging antimicrobial resistance in Brachyspira, has driven renewed interest in alternative intervention strategies. Lactobacillus-based probiotics have been shown to protect against infection with common enteric pathogens in livestock. Our previous studies have shown that Lactobacillus reuteri LM1 antagonizes aspects of the pathobiology of Brachyspira in vitro. Here, we showed that L. reuteri LM1 mitigates the clinical symptoms of AIS in chickens experimentally challenged with B. pilosicoli. Two groups of 15 commercial laying hens were challenged experimentally by oral gavage with B. pilosicoli B2904 at 18 weeks of age; one group received unsupplemented drinking water and the other received L. reuteri LM1 in drinking water from 1 week prior to challenge with Brachyspira and thereafter for the duration of the study. This treatment regime was protective. Specifically, B. pilosicoli was detected by culture in fewer birds, bird weights were higher, faecal moisture contents were significantly lower (P<0.05) and egg production as assessed by egg weight and faecal staining score was improved (P<0.05). Also, at post-mortem examination, significantly fewer B. pilosicoli were recovered from treated birds (P<0.05), with only mild–moderate histopathological changes observed. These data suggest that L. reuteri LM1 may be a useful tool in the control of AIS

Intestinal Spirochetosis mimicking inflammatory bowel disease in children.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Intestinal spirochetosis is an unusual infection in children and its clinical significance in humans is uncertain. The presence of these microorganisms in humans is well-known since the late 1800's and was first described in 1967 by Harland and Lee by electron microscopy. CASE PRESENTATION: This article reports the findings of one pediatric case, review of the current literature, and an overview of therapeutic options. CONCLUSION: A high degree of suspicion is required in cases presenting with abdominal pain, chronic diarrhoea and/or hematochezia associated with a normal endoscopic examination, thus emphasizing the importance of multiple biopsies throughout the colon