| Description | Brachyspira intermedia is a Gram-negative, spiral-shaped microbe that thrives in mesophilic temperatures, categorized as a chemoheterotroph, which obtains its energy by breaking down organic compounds, and can be found in various body sites of animals, including the intestinal tract, liver, and kidneys of pigs, dogs, and birds, and is an obligate anaerobe, requiring the absence of oxygen to survive. The Gram-negative characteristic indicates that the microbe's cell wall is composed of a thin peptidoglycan layer, making it more resistant to certain antibiotics. Its spiral shape allows it to move and colonize efficiently in the intestinal environment. As a mesophilic microbe, Brachyspira intermedia grows best in temperatures between 25-40°C, which is typical of many animal hosts. Its chemoheterotrophic nature means that it relies on organic matter for energy production, which is achieved through fermentation processes. The microbe's ability to inhabit various body sites suggests its adaptability and potential to cause disease in different locations. The obligate anaerobic nature of Brachyspira intermedia necessitates the use of specialized culture media and techniques for its isolation and study. Brachyspira intermedia has been implicated in intestinal spirochetosis, a condition characterized by diarrhea and weight loss in animals, and its presence has also been detected in human samples, highlighting the need for further research into its potential impact on human health, and its role in the complex microbial communities that inhabit animal and human bodies. |
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