Production of lesions in gnotobiotic mice by inoculation with Treponema hyodysenteriae.

Treponema hyodysenteriae was established in the ceca of gnotobiotic mice in the absence of other organisms. Superficial mucosal lesions characteristic of swine dysentery were present in the ceca of mice inoculated with T. hyodysenteriae in combination with viable Bacteroides vulgatus. Deep crypt necrosis was detected in the ceca of mice inoculated with T. hyodysenteriae alone.