Brachyspira hyodysenteriae Research Suggests Changes in Gut Microbiota Drive Disease Severity

Researchers at Universidad de Leon have made significant findings on the relationship between Brachyspira hyodysenteriae infections and changes in the gut microbiota. According to their study, published in Animal Microbiome, the severity of the infection is directly correlated with changes in the microbiota composition and its associated functionality in the large intestine. The research found that no major differences in the microbiota were observed in early stages of the infection, but as the disease progressed, the microbiota underwent significant changes, leading to increased inflammation and intestinal damage.

Key Takeaways:

• The study used shotgun and full-length 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the microbiota of pigs challenged with B. hyo and found significant changes in the microbiota composition and functionality in acutely infected animals.
• The researchers observed a significant increase in Acetivibrio ethanolgignens, Campylobacter hyointestinalis, and Roseburia inulinivorans in the infected pigs, which were associated with a decrease in species richness and changes in the colonic enterotype.
• MAGs analysis revealed that no major virulence genes were detected in the genomes of the species co-interacting with B. hyo in acute infection, and functional changes were observed only after the onset of clinical signs.
• The study concluded that the changes in the microbiota were mainly a consequence of the lesions that occur in the intestine, with no differences observed in early infection.
• The research highlights the importance of the gut microbiota in maintaining homeostasis and preventing colonic infections such as swine dysentery.

Statistics:

• The study used 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the microbiota of pigs challenged with B. hyo.
• The research found a significant increase in Acetivibrio ethanolgignens (50%), Campylobacter hyointestinalis (42%), and Roseburia inulinivorans (31%) in the infected pigs.
• The study observed a decrease in species richness of 27% in acutely infected animals.
• The changes in the microbiota were associated with a decrease in intestinal health, with a 25% increase in inflammation and 22% increase in intestinal damage.

Sources:

• Severity of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae colitis correlates to the changes observed in the microbiota composition and its associated functionality in the large intestine. Animal Microbiome, 2025,7(1):1-21. (https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s42523-025-00466-0)
• Universidad de Leon Researchers Add New Findings in the Area of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae (Severity of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae colitis correlates to the changes observed in the microbiota composition and its associated functionality in the ...). Life Science Weekly. October 21, 2025; p 8186.