Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Infection and Immunity logoLink to Infection and Immunity
. 1995 Feb;63(2):430–436. doi: 10.1128/iai.63.2.430-436.1995

Identification of a new intestinal spirochete with pathogenicity for chickens.

D E Swayne 1, K A Eaton 1, J Stoutenburg 1, D J Trott 1, D J Hampson 1, N S Jensen 1
PMCID: PMC173013  PMID: 7822007

Abstract

Two intestinal spirochete isolates obtained from chickens with diarrhea were examined by electron microscopy, biochemical tests, rRNA gene restriction pattern analysis, and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. One isolate (strain 91-1207/C1) was pathogenicity tested in vivo in chickens. The chicken spirochetes were morphologically indistinguishable from Serpulina innocens and Serpulina hyodysenteriae and phenotypically similar to S. innocens. However, the chicken spirochetes could be distinguished from S. innocens, S. hyodysenteriae, and other swine intestinal spirochetes by rRNA gene restriction pattern analysis and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. In pathogenicity tests in 1-day-old chicks and 14-month-old hens, chicken spirochete 91-1207/C1 produced pale-yellow, watery cecal contents and mild lymphocytic typhlitis. These findings support the conclusion that avian intestinal spirochetes can be pathogenic to commercial poultry and that the microorganisms are different from intestinal spirochetes that infect pigs.

Full Text

The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (1.1 MB).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Adachi Y., Sueyoshi M., Miyagawa E., Minato H., Shoya S. Experimental infection of young broiler chicks with Treponema hyodysenteriae. Microbiol Immunol. 1985;29(8):683–688. doi: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.1985.tb00872.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Altwegg M., Hickman-Brenner F. W., Farmer J. J., 3rd Ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns provide increased sensitivity for typing Salmonella typhi strains. J Infect Dis. 1989 Jul;160(1):145–149. doi: 10.1093/infdis/160.1.145. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Baba E., Nagaishi S., Fukata T., Arakawa A. The role of intestinal microflora on the prevention of Salmonella colonization in gnotobiotic chickens. Poult Sci. 1991 Sep;70(9):1902–1907. doi: 10.3382/ps.0701902. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Cwyk W. M., Canale-Parola E. Treponema succinifaciens sp. nov., an anaerobic spirochete from the swine intestine. Arch Microbiol. 1979 Sep;122(3):231–239. doi: 10.1007/BF00411285. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Dwars R. M., Smit H. F., Davelaar F. G. Observations on avian intestinal spirochaetosis. Vet Q. 1990 Jan;12(1):51–55. doi: 10.1080/01652176.1990.9694242. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Faruque S. M., Haider K., Rahman M. M., Abdul Alim A. R., Ahmad Q. S., Albert M. J., Sack R. B. Differentiation of Shigella flexneri strains by rRNA gene restriction patterns. J Clin Microbiol. 1992 Nov;30(11):2996–2999. doi: 10.1128/jcm.30.11.2996-2999.1992. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Glock R. D., Harris D. L. Swine dysentery. II. Characterization of lesions in pigs inoculated with Treponema hyodysenteriae in pure and mixed culture. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1972 Jan;67(1):65–68. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Griffiths I. B., Hunt B. W., Lister S. A., Lamont M. H. Retarded growth rate and delayed onset of egg production associated with spirochaete infection in pullets. Vet Rec. 1987 Jul 11;121(2):35–37. doi: 10.1136/vr.121.2.35. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. HUHTANEN C. N., PENSACK J. M. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INTESTINAL FLORA OF THE YOUNG CHICK. Poult Sci. 1965 May;44:825–830. doi: 10.3382/ps.0440825. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Harris D. L., Glock R. D., Christensen C. R., Kinyon J. M. Inoculation of pigs with Treponema hyodysenteriae (new species) and reproduction f the disease. Vet Med Small Anim Clin. 1972 Jan;67(1):61–64. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Harris D. L., Kinyon J. M. Significance of anaerobic spirochetes in the intestines of animals. Am J Clin Nutr. 1974 Nov;27(11):1297–1304. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/27.11.1297. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Holt P. S. Effect of induced molting on the susceptibility of White Leghorn hens to a Salmonella enteritidis infection. Avian Dis. 1993 Apr-Jun;37(2):412–417. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Holt P. S., Porter R. E., Jr Effect of induced molting on the recurrence of a previous Salmonella enteritidis infection. Poult Sci. 1993 Nov;72(11):2069–2078. doi: 10.3382/ps.0722069. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Holt P. S., Porter R. E., Jr Microbiological and histopathological effects of an induced-molt fasting procedure on a Salmonella enteritidis infection in chickens. Avian Dis. 1992 Jul-Sep;36(3):610–618. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Hunter D., Wood T. An evaluation of the API ZYM system as a means of classifying spirochaetes associated with swine dysentery. Vet Rec. 1979 Apr 28;104(17):383–384. doi: 10.1136/vr.104.17.383. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Jacques M., Girard C., Higgins R., Goyette G. Extensive colonization of the porcine colonic epithelium by a spirochete similar to Treponema innocens. J Clin Microbiol. 1989 May;27(5):1139–1141. doi: 10.1128/jcm.27.5.1139-1141.1989. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Jenkinson S. R., Wingar C. R. Selective medium for the isolation of Treponema hyodysenteriae. Vet Rec. 1981 Oct 24;109(17):384–385. doi: 10.1136/vr.109.17.384. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Jensen N. S., Casey T. A., Stanton T. B. Characterization of Serpulina (Treponema) hyodysenteriae and related intestinal spirochetes by ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 1992 Jun 15;72(3):235–241. doi: 10.1016/0378-1097(92)90468-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Joens L. A., Kinyon J. M. Isolation of Treponema hyodysenteriae from wild rodents. J Clin Microbiol. 1982 Jun;15(6):994–997. doi: 10.1128/jcm.15.6.994-997.1982. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Jones M. J., Miller J. N., George W. L. Microbiological and biochemical characterization of spirochetes isolated from the feces of homosexual males. J Clin Microbiol. 1986 Dec;24(6):1071–1074. doi: 10.1128/jcm.24.6.1071-1074.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Kennedy G. A., Strafuss A. C. Scanning electron microscopy of the lesions of swine dysentery. Am J Vet Res. 1976 Apr;37(4):395–401. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Kinyon J. M., Harris D. L., Glock R. D. Enteropathogenicity of various isolates of Treponema hyodysenteriae. Infect Immun. 1977 Feb;15(2):638–646. doi: 10.1128/iai.15.2.638-646.1977. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Kunkle R. A., Harris D. L., Kinyon J. M. Autoclaved liquid medium for propagation of Treponema hyodysenteriae. J Clin Microbiol. 1986 Oct;24(4):669–671. doi: 10.1128/jcm.24.4.669-671.1986. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Lee J. I., Hampson D. J. Genetic characterisation of intestinal spirochaetes and their association with disease. J Med Microbiol. 1994 May;40(5):365–371. doi: 10.1099/00222615-40-5-365. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Lee J. I., Hampson D. J. Intestinal spirochaetes colonizing aborigines from communities in the remote north of Western Australia. Epidemiol Infect. 1992 Aug;109(1):133–141. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Lee J. I., Hampson D. J., Lymbery A. J., Harders S. J. The porcine intestinal spirochaetes: identification of new genetic groups. Vet Microbiol. 1993 Mar;34(3):273–285. doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(93)90017-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Lee J. I., McLaren A. J., Lymbery A. J., Hampson D. J. Human intestinal spirochetes are distinct from Serpulina hyodysenteriae. J Clin Microbiol. 1993 Jan;31(1):16–21. doi: 10.1128/jcm.31.1.16-21.1993. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Neef N. A., Lysons R. J., Trott D. J., Hampson D. J., Jones P. W., Morgan J. H. Pathogenicity of porcine intestinal spirochetes in gnotobiotic pigs. Infect Immun. 1994 Jun;62(6):2395–2403. doi: 10.1128/iai.62.6.2395-2403.1994. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Ng L. K., Dillon J. A. Molecular fingerprinting of isolates of the genus Peptostreptococcus using rRNA genes from Escherichia coli and P. anaerobius. J Gen Microbiol. 1991 Jun;137(6):1323–1331. doi: 10.1099/00221287-137-6-1323. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Nuotio L., Schneitz C., Halonen U., Nurmi E. Use of competitive exclusion to protect newly-hatched chicks against intestinal colonisation and invasion by Salmonella enteritidis PT4. Br Poult Sci. 1992 Sep;33(4):775–779. doi: 10.1080/00071669208417519. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Owens D., Stinson J., Collins P., Johnson A., Tomkin G. H. Improvement in the regulation of cellular cholesterologenesis in diabetes: the effect of reduction in serum cholesterol by simvastatin. Diabet Med. 1991 Feb-Mar;8(2):151–156. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-5491.1991.tb01562.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Pignato S., Giammanco G., Grimont F., Grimont P. A. Molecular typing of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Wien by rRNA gene restriction patterns. Res Microbiol. 1992 Sep;143(7):703–709. doi: 10.1016/0923-2508(92)90065-v. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Porter R. E., Jr, Holt P. S. Effect of induced molting on the severity of intestinal lesions caused by Salmonella enteritidis infection in chickens. Avian Dis. 1993 Oct-Dec;37(4):1009–1016. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Reynolds D. L., Saif Y. M., Theil K. W. A survey of enteric viruses of turkey poults. Avian Dis. 1987 Jan-Mar;31(1):89–98. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Sagartz J. E., Swayne D. E., Eaton K. A., Hayes J. R., Amass K. D., Wack R., Kramer L. Necrotizing typhlocolitis associated with a spirochete in rheas (Rhea americana). Avian Dis. 1992 Apr-Jun;36(2):282–289. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Saif Y. M., Saif L. J., Hofacre C. L., Hayhow C., Swayne D. E., Dearth R. N. A small round virus associated with enteritis in turkey poults. Avian Dis. 1990 Jul-Sep;34(3):762–764. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Stanton T. B., Canale-Parola E. Treponema bryantii sp. nov., a rumen spirochete that interacts with cellulolytic bacteria. Arch Microbiol. 1980 Sep;127(2):145–156. doi: 10.1007/BF00428018. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Stanton T. B., Cornell C. P. Erythrocytes as a source of essential lipids for Treponema hyodysenteriae. Infect Immun. 1987 Feb;55(2):304–308. doi: 10.1128/iai.55.2.304-308.1987. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Stavric S., Gleeson T. M., Blanchfield B. Effect of avian intestinal microflora possessing adhering and hydrophobic properties on competitive exclusion of Salmonella typhimurium from chicks. J Appl Bacteriol. 1991 May;70(5):414–421. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1991.tb02958.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Sueyoshi M., Adachi Y. Diarrhea induced by Treponema hyodysenteriae: a young chick cecal model for swine dysentery. Infect Immun. 1990 Oct;58(10):3348–3362. doi: 10.1128/iai.58.10.3348-3362.1990. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Sueyoshi M., Adachi Y., Shoya S. Enteropathogenicity of Treponema hyodysenteriae in young chicks. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg A. 1987 Oct;266(3-4):469–477. doi: 10.1016/s0176-6724(87)80229-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Sueyoshi M., Adachi Y., Shoya S., Miyagawa E., Minato H. Investigations into the location of Treponema hyodysenteriae in the cecum of experimentally infected young broiler chicks by light- and electronmicroscopy. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg A. 1986 Jul;261(4):447–453. doi: 10.1016/s0176-6724(86)80076-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Swayne D. E., Bermudez A. J., Sagartz J. E., Eaton K. A., Monfort J. D., Stoutenburg J. W., Hayes J. R. Association of cecal spirochetes with pasty vents and dirty eggshells in layers. Avian Dis. 1992 Jul-Sep;36(3):776–781. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Taylor D. J., Simmons J. R., Laird H. M. Production of diarrhoea and dysentery in pigs by feeding pure cultures of a spirochaete differing from Treponema hyodysenteriae. Vet Rec. 1980 Apr 12;106(15):326–332. doi: 10.1136/vr.106.15.326. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Thomson-Carter F. M., Carter P. E., Pennington T. H. Differentiation of staphylococcal species and strains by ribosomal RNA gene restriction patterns. J Gen Microbiol. 1989 Jul;135(7):2093–2097. doi: 10.1099/00221287-135-7-2093. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Wierup M., Wold-Troell M., Nurmi E., Häkkinen M. Epidemiological evaluation of the salmonella-controlling effect of a nationwide use of a competitive exclusion culture in poultry. Poult Sci. 1988 Jul;67(7):1026–1033. doi: 10.3382/ps.0671026. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Wilcock B. P., Olander H. J. Studies on the pathogenesis of swine dysentery. I. Characterization of the lesions in colons and colonic segments inoculated with pure cultures or colonic content containing Treponema hyodysenteriae. Vet Pathol. 1979 Jul;16(4):450–465. doi: 10.1177/030098587901600409. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Infection and Immunity are provided here courtesy of American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

RESOURCES