E2 Family Spirochetaceae

Question 1

What is the gram reaction of the family Spirochaetaceae?

Answer 1

Gram negative

Question 2

What is special about the morphology of bacteria in the family Spirochaetaceae?

Answer 2

Long long helical rods

Question 3

Where are bacteria in the family Spirochaetaceae commonly found?

Answer 3

1. Environment
   = water, soil, vegetation
2. Commensals of many animals

Question 4

What is important about the metabolism of bacteria in the family Spirochaetaceae?

Answer 4

Anaerobic

but aerotolerant

Question 5

What is the best diagnostic test for bacteria in the family Spirochaetaceae?

Answer 5

Serology

Question 6

How are bacteria in the family Spirochaetaceae identified?

Answer 6

1. Number of turns
2. Overall length
3. Type of motility

Question 7

What animals is infected with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae? What is the name of the disease?

Answer 7

Pigs

Swine Dysentery “bloody scours”

Question 8

What is the route of transmission of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae?

Answer 8

Fecal-oral

Question 9

What tissue does Brachyspira hyodysenteriae colonize?

Answer 9

Colon

Question 10

Why is Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection so pathogenic?

Answer 10

Bacteria release endotoxin & hemolysin

Question 11

What age is most affected by infection with Brachyspira hyodysenteriae?

Answer 11

Older weaned piglets

Question 12

What is the best diagnostic test for Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection?

Answer 12

PCR

Question 13

What is unique about the pathogenesis of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection?

Answer 13

It requires other bacteria to cause disease!

no disease in pigs sole infected with B hyodysenteriae

Question 14

What other animal may spread Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infection?

Answer 14

Birds may spread the disease between farms

Question 15

What disease is caused by Brachyspira pilosicoli?

Answer 15

Porcine colonic spirochetosis

Question 16

How severe is the disease in pigs caused by Brachyspira pilosicoli?

Answer 16

Only some diarrhea

Question 17

What is unique about the culturing of genus Leptospira?

Answer 17

Requires B vitamins

Question 18

What is special about the growth of Leptospira interrogans?

Answer 18

It has two phases

Question 19

What are the two growth phases of Leptospira interrogans?

Answer 19

1. Leptospiremia (1 week)

2. Leptospuria (months)

Question 20

Where is the primary site of replication for Leptospira interrogans?

Answer 20

Liver

Question 21

Can infection with Leptospira interrogans affect pregnancy?

Answer 21

Yes

Question 22

How does Leptospira interrogans enter the body?

Answer 22

Through cuts in the skin

Question 23

What animals are affected by Leptospira interrogans infection?

Answer 23

All domestic species

Question 24

How does Leptospira interrogans evade host immunity?

Answer 24

Hides in immune privileged sites

kidneys, eye, brain

Question 25

Is there a vaccine for Leptospira interrogans?

Answer 25

Yes | but short term protection

Question 26

Are humans at risk for Leptospira interrogans infection?

Answer 26

Yes | but it is rare

Question 27

What is important about the Spirochaetaceae genus Borrelia?

Answer 27

Tick transmission

Question 28

What animals are infected by Borrelia anserina? What disease does it cause?

Answer 28

Chickens, turkeys, geese, etc | Fowl Spirochetosis

Question 29

What is the most important clinical sign of Borrelia anserina infection?

Answer 29

Swollen spleen | green-yellow diarrhea

Question 30

What is the best way to control Borrelia anserina infections?

Answer 30

Tick control

Question 31

What animals are affected by Borrelia burgdorferi? What is the disease called?

Answer 31

Humans, dogs, horses, mice & deer | Lyme disease!

Question 32

What is unique about Borrelia burgdorferi infection in cats?

Answer 32

Can be seropositive cats do not have clinical signs

Question 33

What animals are required in the life cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi?

Answer 33

Ticks Mice (harbor bacterium) Deer

Question 34

What Borrelia burgdorferi ssp is responsible for Lyme disease?

Answer 34

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato

Question 35

How long do ticks need to be attached to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria?

Answer 35

4 to 8 hrs

Question 36

Do all dogs that are seropositive show clinical signs?

Answer 36

No | only 10%

Question 37

How to nervous system clinical signs arise from Borrelia burgdorferi infection?

Answer 37

Flagellin Abs cross-react with host axon proteins

Question 38

What are classic clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs?

Answer 38

Icterus | Lameness

Question 39

What is the best way to diagnose Borrelia burgdorferi infection?

Answer 39

PCR

Question 40

What is unique about the antibody response to Borrelia burgdorferi infection?

Answer 40

Ab response is slow to develop

Question 41

Is there a vaccine for Borrelia burgdorferi infection?

Answer 41

Yes in dogs | Only effective for 6-12 months

Question 42

What other bacteria is has been seen increasingly in infections with Borrelia burgdorferi?

Answer 42

Anaplasmosis