Isolation of Serpulina pilosicoli from rectal biopsy specimens showing evidence of intestinal spirochetosis.
Histologic evidence of intestinal spirochetosis (IS) was found in 22 of 41 (53.7%) rectal biopsy specimens from homosexual men attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic. Serpulina pilosicoli was cultured from 11 of the IS-positive biopsy specimens (50%) and from 2 specimens (10.5%) in which spirochetes were not observed. The association between seeing spirochetes in biopsy specimens and isolating S. pilosicoli was statistically significant, clearly indicating that this spirochete is the agent of IS.
Trivett-Moore
N L
NL
Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
Gilbert
G L
GL
Law
C L
CL
Trott
D J
DJ
Hampson
D J
DJ
D001706:Biopsy; D017400:Brachyspira / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D012007:Rectum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013145:Spirochaetales Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*