Which Brachyspira species is primarily associated with swine dysentery?

Which Brachyspira species is primarily associated with swine dysentery?

• A. Brachyspira pilosicoli
• B. Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
• C. Brachyspira hampsonii
• D. Brachyspira innocens

Answer: (B)

Identifying the species most closely linked to swine dysentery. Swine dysentery is a severe colonic disease in pigs caused by a pathogenic Brachyspira that colonizes the large intestine and triggers necrohemorrhagic typhlocolitis with mucus and blood in the stool. The classic etiologic agent is Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, which is well known for producing this severe disease in grower–finisher pigs. Other Brachyspira species exist and are associated with different patterns of disease: Brachyspira pilosicoli can cause intestinal spirochetosis with milder or variable signs; Brachyspira hampsonii can cause dysentery-like disease in some outbreaks; and Brachyspira innocens is generally nonpathogenic in pigs. So the best choice is the one that is traditionally and most strongly associated with swine dysentery: Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.

Identifying the species most closely linked to swine dysentery. Swine dysentery is a severe colonic disease in pigs caused by a pathogenic Brachyspira that colonizes the large intestine and triggers necrohemorrhagic typhlocolitis with mucus and blood in the stool. The classic etiologic agent is Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, which is well known for producing this severe disease in grower–finisher pigs. Other Brachyspira species exist and are associated with different patterns of disease: Brachyspira pilosicoli can cause intestinal spirochetosis with milder or variable signs; Brachyspira hampsonii can cause dysentery-like disease in some outbreaks; and Brachyspira innocens is generally nonpathogenic in pigs. So the best choice is the one that is traditionally and most strongly associated with swine dysentery: Brachyspira hyodysenteriae.