Seven cases of intestinal spirochetosis

Abstract

Spirochetosis mainly includes Spirochaetaceae species Treponema groups, Borrelia groups, and Leptospiraceae species Leptospira groups. Besides, Brachyspira groups is one of the rare human intestinal spirochetosis, which is defined uncertainly. Intestinal spirochetosis usualy accidentally diagnosed by biopsy, because it shows no remarkable colonoscopy's findings and specific symptoms. The diagnosis requires the clot of bacteria and pathological findings such as spiculating appearance in the intestinal epithelium. The treatment with consensus has not been established yet, and some cases dose not need any therapy. We had experienced seven cases of inteitinal spirochetosis from January 2007 to December 2008. As for these cases, the clinical manifestation, colonoscopy's findings, and pathological features are discussed here.