What Is Spirochete?
Spirochetes are a group of spiral-shaped bacteria that includes Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Treponema pallidum (syphilis), and Leptospira species.
Classification: Immunology & Disease › Spirochete
Key Takeaway
Spirochetes include several important human pathogens. Their spiral shape allows them to drill through tissues, contributing to the chronic and tissue-invasive nature of conditions like Lyme disease.
Why This Matters
Spirochetes are distinguished by their long, flexible, corkscrew-shaped bodies and a unique flagellar structure inside the cell wall that drives their corkscrew motion. This motion lets them penetrate dense tissues and even cross biological barriers. Clinically, the group includes the bacteria behind Lyme disease, syphilis, relapsing fever, and leptospirosis. Because spirochetes can hide in tissues and sometimes form persister or biofilm-like forms, they can be challenging to detect and treat, especially in late-stage or chronic presentations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are spirochetes?
Spiral-shaped bacteria, including those behind Lyme disease, syphilis, and leptospirosis.
How do spirochetes cause disease?
Their corkscrew shape lets them drill through tissues, including dense connective tissue and possibly across biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier.
Are spirochetes parasites?
They are bacteria, not parasites in the strict sense, but they share parasite-like properties of living off and within hosts for prolonged periods.
