| Theme | Recent trend in infectious diseases of the intestine | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Intestinal spirochetosis -- Clinicopathological significance based on observations of 176 cases | |
| Publish Date | 2011/01 | |
| Author | Hiroshi Tanabe | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Akinori Iwashita | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Seiji Haraoka | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Keisuke Ikeda | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Kaname Oshige | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Atsuko Ota | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| Author | Takao Kanemitsu | Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University, Chikushi Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Intestinal spirochetosis is a zoonotic infection caused by gram-negative spirochetes belonging to the genus Brachspira. It is characterized histopathologically as being basophilic, with flocculent colonies which adhere to the epithelial surface of the large intestine. Our experience in 176 cases indicated that the frequency of intestinal spirochetosis was 0.66 %. Most patients are carriers because it is commonly seen incidentally in patients with colonic adenoma. It often lacks subjective clinical symptoms and rarely exhibits severe inflammation histopathologically. It is almost impossible to clinically and endoscopicaly diagnose intestinal spirochetosis, which are often overlooked histopathologically. Very careful observation is necessary for diagnosis. There are a few cases which exhibit findings of colitis clinically or pathologically, which would point to it being caused by spirochetes. However, severe inflammation is seldom observed with spirochete infection alone. Therefore, when severe inflammation is present, other complications, such as amebic colitis, should be considered and the patient's condition reevaluated. |
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