Brachyspira pilosicoli -induced avian intestinal spirochaetosis

Abstract

Avian intestinal spirochaetosis (AIS) is a common disease occurring in poultry that can be caused by Brachyspira pilosicoli, a Gram-negative bacterium ofthe order Spirochaetes. During AIS, this opportunistic pathogen colonises the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract ofpoultry (principally, the ileum, caeca, and colon), which can cause symptoms such asdiarrhoea, reduced growth rate, andreduced eggproductionand quality.Due to the large increase ofbacterial resistance to antibiotic treatment, the European Union banned in 2006 the prophylactic use ofantibiotics as growth promoters in livestock.Consequently, thenumberofoutbreaks ofAIShas dramatically increased in theUKresulting in significant economic losses. This review summarises the current knowledge about AIS infection caused by B. pilosicoli and discusses various treatments and prevention strategies to control AIS.