Spirochetal dysentery: a case report and review of literature.

Spiral shaped bacteria have frequently been demonstrated from human faeces. Their role in causation of disease is, however, controversial; as they have been found to colonise the lower gastrointestinal tracts of both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. Here we report a case in which spiral shaped motile, gram negative and nonflagellated bacteria, probably belonging to the genus Borrelia, were demonstrated and associated with acute bloody diarrhea in a cardiac patient. The condition could successfully be treated with short course of Metronidazole. The relevant and up to date literature on this problem is also reviewed.