RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Symptomatic colonic spirochaetosis in an immunocompetent patient
JF Journal of Clinical Pathology
JO J Clin Pathol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists
SP 1100
OP 1101
DO 10.1136/jcp.2005.034900
VO 59
IS 10
A1 Lin, R K
A1 Miyai, K
A1 Carethers, J M
YR 2006
UL http://jcp.bmj.com/content/59/10/1100.abstract
AB Spirochaetes are organisms that can infect the colon of people with normal or compromised immune systems. Infected patients can present with a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea and rectal bleeding. However, some report a lack of association between specific symptoms and the presence of spirochaetes. It is therefore unclear whether the spirochaetes colonising the colon are true pathogens. Diagnosis is typically made by histological examination, with the biopsy specimen showing a band-like growth of spirochaetes adherent to the colonic luminal surface, giving an accentuated brush-border appearance. A course of metronidazole can eliminate the spirochaetes, but treatment might not lead to improvement of symptoms. Owing to the lack of a definite association between symptoms and the presence of spirochaetes, observation without specific antibiotic treatment can be pursued in most patients.