Brachyspira pilosicoli
Classification
Bacteria; Spirochaetota; Spirochaetia; Brachyspriales; Brachyspiraceae; Brachyspira; B. pilosicoli
Species
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NCBI: [1] |
Brachyspira
Description and Significance
Brachyspira pilosicoli is a gram-negative, anaerobic, spiral shaped bacteria. It has been known to cause diarrhea and colitis in animals such as pigs and chicken. In humans its known to cause diarrhea, colitis, headaches, abdominal pain, weight loss and could lead to poor growth rates and impaired production on farms. Its ability to slow down growth rates it impedes company productions to deplete.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Genome Structure
The bacteria Brachyspira pilosicoli is approximately 6-11µm in length and 0.2-0.3µm in width. It has a circular genome of 2,586,443 base pairs. The genome is 95/1000 sequenced and assembled. Other bacteria with in the family such as "Brachyspira murdochii" are near completion of being fully sequenced.
Due to its slow growth it is not detectable one fecal samples. It has to be done histologically, a tissue sample from the colon or rectum has to obtain to determine if one has been infected by the bacteria.
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Brachyspira pilosicoli is a spiral shaped bacteria that measures 4 - 10 um in length and 0.2 - 0.3 um in width. It has periplasmic flagella located at each end of the bacteria. Each bacteria cells has 8 to 10 flagella. Although it is anaerobic it is resilient enough to tolerate it exposure to oxygen. It's optimum temperature for cell growth is 37 - 42 °C, it takes on average 3 days for growth.
It enter its host via ingestion of fecal matter. Although, it attaches itself histologically to its host it takes a a couple of days before it starts making the host present symptoms. It is ineffective in organic matters for prolonged time it can also be inactivated by sunlight. Pigs maybe most common for being infected with the bacteria most common Brachyspira pilosicoli in humans is thought to be coming from dogs.
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
