MODEL OF COLONIC SPIROCHAETOSIS FOR TESTING OF ECONOR~(R) FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASE

摘要

Infection of pigs with Brachyspira pilosicoli may result in a typical colitis, with mild diarrhoea and a characteristic end-on attachment of the spirochaetes when examined by electron microscopy ("carpet pile effect"): colonic spirochaetosis. Infection with this organism often occurs in combination with other agents as part of a colitis syndrome, and thus field trials to demonstrate efficacy of medicinal products are difficult to conduct. Experimental models may therefore be appropriate to test antimicrobial agents for their ability to control colonic spirochaetosis. Valnemulin (Econor~(R), Novartis Animal Health) is highly active against intestinal spirochaetes and has proved effective for the control of swine dysentery. Experimental infection of pigs with B. pilosicoli may result in diarrhoea in a proportion of animals only and dietary composition may predispose pigs to colitis. This paper reports development of an experimental model of colonic spirochaetosis using dietary alterations and use ofthe model to test the efficacy of in-feed Econor~(R) for control of the condition.