Isolation and characterization of Brachyspira species based on biochemical scheme and 16S rDNA partial sequencing

Avian intestinal spirochetosis (AIS) is a disease of birdscharacterized by a marked colonization of the cecum and/or rectumwith anaerobic intestinal bacteria of the genus Brachyspira. Thepurpose of the study was to determine the occurrence of Brachyspiraspp from avian sources in Iran and to characterize selected isolates bybiochemical and molecular methods. Out of 165 fecal samples obtained from commercial layer, broiler and broiler breeder chickens, turkeys and ostriches, 16 samples were positive in phase contrast microscopy examination and selective culture media. Biochemical scheme, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing of partial sequence of 16S rDNA, revealed that all of isolates were Brachyspira pilosicoli, a broad spectrum host member of this genus that infects both humans and animals. This is the first report on isolation andidentification of Brachyspira pilosicoli from birds in Iran.