After several months of planning and hard work, Prairie Diagnostic Services is pleased to announce that we have successfully transitioned the Brachyspira testing program from Dr. Janet Hill’s laboratory at WCVM to our veterinary diagnostic laboratory. Effective July 13, 2026, all samples for Brachyspira testing and reporting will be completed by PDS. We thank the Hill laboratory for providing this service since 2009. We are also grateful to Dr. John Harding for his guidance throughout the transition period.
There is no change in the submission process; samples for Brachyspira testing should be submitted directly to PDS as has been done in the past.
Swine dysentery is an economically significant disease of growing pigs, characterized by mucohemorrhagic colitis caused by strongly hemolytic Brachyspira species, including Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and Brachyspira hampsonii. Intestinal spirochetosis, which typically presents as mucoid diarrhea, is caused by Brachyspira pilosicoli. Accurate identification of causative agents is essential for effective disease prevention, treatment, and epidemiological investigations. Brachyspira spp. can be associated with clinical infections other than swine, including poultry and exotic animals. Therefore, clients submitting samples from non-swine species may also request Brachyspira testing, as appropriate. We are pleased to offer the following diagnostic assays:
- Real-Time PCRs for Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Brachyspira pilosicoli, and Brachyspira hampsonii
- Real-Time PCR for Brachyspira hampsonii Clade I/II Typing: performed directly on clinical samples that have tested positive for Brachyspira hampsonii
- Brachyspira species nox Gene PCR with Sequencing Identification: performed directly from clinical samples or from positive cultures
- Brachyspira Culture
- Brachyspira Antimicrobial Resistance Gene (ARG) PCR, performed on positive Brachyspira broth cultures. In addition to the test cost, a Brachyspira Broth Culture Set Up Charge will apply to each test.
- Targets the tvaB and lnu(C) genes associated with resistance to tiamulin and lincomycin, respectively
Sample Submission
Fresh fecal, large intestinal and effluent (manure pit) samples are acceptable for testing. Samples should be received by the laboratory within 48 hours of collection and kept refrigerated during transport to preserve sample quality for bacterial isolation. Samples can be frozen for PCR testing, if needed. DO NOT FREEZE samples for culture. Additional test information can be found on the client portal fee guide.
These new testing services are now available to order on the PDS client portal and on the Porcine submission form available on our website.
We look forward to supporting your diagnostic needs with this expanded offering.
For additional information, please contact us at dso@usask.ca or call 306-966-7316.
Hemolytic zones associated with the growth of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae
Kulathunga, Dharmasiri GRS, and Joseph E. Rubin. “A review of the current state of antimicrobial susceptibility test methods for Brachyspira.” Canadian Journal of Microbiology 63.6 (2017): 465-474.