title: Evidence for systemic spread of the potentially zoonotic intestinal spirochaete Brachyspira pilosicoli in experimentally challenged laying chickens.
abstract: Brachyspira pilosicoli is a potentially zoonotic anaerobic intestinal spirochaete that is one of several species causing avian intestinal spirochaetosis. The aim of this study was to develop a reproducible model of infection in point-of-lay chickens and compare the virulence of two strains of B. pilosicoli in a model using experimentally challenged laying chickens. Seventeen-week-old commercial laying chickens were experimentally challenged by oral gavage with either B. pilosicoli strain B2904 or CPSp1, following an oral dose of 10 % sodium bicarbonate to neutralize acidity in the crop. Approximately 80 % of the chickens became colonized and exhibited increased faecal moisture content, reduced weight gain and delayed onset of lay. Tissues sampled at post-mortem examination were analysed to produce a quantitative output on the number of spirochaetes present and hence, the extent of colonization. The liver and spleen were colonized, and novel histopathology was observed in these tissues. The infection model we report here has potential use in studies to improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which Brachyspira elicit disease in poultry and in testing novel intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, UK.|Department of Bacteriology, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Luke J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Mappley
authors.affiliation: Department of Bacteriology, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Monika A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tchórzewska
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nunez
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AP, UK.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Woodward
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guilford, Surrey GU2 7XH, UK.|Department of Bacteriology, Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK.
authors.forename: Roberto M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: La Ragione
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017400:Brachyspira / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002645:Chickens; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate