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Intestinal spirochetosis due to Brachyspira pilosicoli: endoscopic and radiographic features

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Abstract

We report a 31-year-old patient with intestinal spirochetosis. Colonoscopy revealed edematous mucosa with multiple erythematous spots in the proximal colon. Barium enema examination demonstrated marked edema with luminal narrowing and thumb-printing predominantly in the ascending colon. Numerous spirochetes were detected by histological examinations of biopsy specimens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA showed the organisms to be Brachyspira pilosicoli.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan

    Junji Umeno, Takayuki Matsumoto, Shotaro Nakamura, Sohei Yoshino & Mitsuo Iida

  2. Department of Anatomic Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Minako Hirahashi & Takashi Yao

Authors
  1. Junji Umeno
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  2. Takayuki Matsumoto
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  3. Shotaro Nakamura
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  4. Sohei Yoshino
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  5. Minako Hirahashi
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  6. Takashi Yao
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  7. Mitsuo Iida
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Umeno, J., Matsumoto, T., Nakamura, S. et al. Intestinal spirochetosis due to Brachyspira pilosicoli: endoscopic and radiographic features. J Gastroenterol 42, 253–256 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-006-1988-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-006-1988-6

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