Swine Dysentery, a disease caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and characterized by the onset of catarrhal hemorrhagic diarrhea, is experiencing a major re-emergence in many countries worldwide.
How to face the challenge of Swine Dysentery in the new scenario of pig production under the restriction of antibiotic use?
The key is to know our opponent…
MORPHOLOGY AND SURVIVAL 
Brachyspira hyodysenteriae is an anaerobic gram-negative spirochete with helical shape and 7-14 periplasmic flagellums. Its flagellums facilitate the movement on the surface of the colon mucosa, which is rich in calciform cells and mucus.
For dysentery to occur, it is necessary the infection by B. hyodysenteriae, B. suanatina or B. hampsonii, although this is not sufficient to trigger the disease. Other factors such as the interaction with the microbiota and the diet have also an impact.
