TABLE 1.
Names and characteristics of the nine officially named Brachyspira species
| Species | Hemolysis | Main host species | Diseasea | Previous names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B. pilosicoli | Weak | Pigs, chickens, and other species, including humans | Intestinal spirochetosis (AIS, PIS, HIS) | “Anquilina coli,” Serpulina pilosicoli |
| B. aalborgi | Weak | Humans and possibly other nonhuman primates | Intestinal spirochetosis (HIS) | NAb |
| B. hyodysenteriae | Strong | Pigs | Swine dysentery | Treponema hyodysenteriae, Serpulina hyodysenteriae |
| B. hampsonii | Strong | Pigs, waterbirds | Swine dysentery | NA |
| B. suanatina | Strong | Ducks, pigs | Swine dysentery | NA |
| B. intermedia | Weak | Chickens, pigs | AIS | Serpulina intermedia |
| B. innocens | Weak | Pigs, chickens, rats | Not recorded | Treponema innocens, Serpulina innocens |
| B. murdochii | Weak | Pigs, chickens, rats | Mild colitis in pigs | Serpulina murdochii |
| B. alvinipulli | Weak | Chickens | AIS | Serpulina alvinipulli |
a
AIS, avian intestinal spirochetosis; PIS, porcine intestinal spirochetosis; HIS, human intestinal spirochetosis.
b
NA, not applicable.