Studies on a canine intestinal spirochete. I. Its isolation, cultivation and ultrastructure.

The microscopic examination of colonic scrapings from 12 of 18 normal dogs revealed the presence of a spirochete. From two such dogs a spirochete was isolated and successfully cultured. Although similar in outward appearance to the porcine spirochete of swine dysentery the canine spirochete possessed ultrastructural properties which distinguished it from the porcine agent. This canine agent is thought to constitute a separate species and should not be confused with the agent associated with swine dysentery.