Name: spirochete shape, motion, and disease
Uploaded: 2025-06-12T09:21:19.000Z
Duration: 1 min 30 s
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Spirochetes are Gram-negative, coiled bacteria classified in the phylum Spirochaetes.Endoflagella in spirochetes produce corkscrew-like motion, enabling movement through viscous materials or tissues.The Spirochaeta genus includes anaerobic and facultatively aerobic spirochetes that are free-living in freshwater, sediment, and oceans.Notable species include Spirochaeta plicatilis from sulfidic freshwater and marine environments.Cristispira is a genus of spirochetes that are found in the crystalline style of many bivalve mollusks like clams, mussels, and oysters.The genus Treponema includes anaerobic or microaerophilic spirochetes that are commensals or pathogens of humans and animals, such as Treponema denticola, common in the human oral cavity.Many species in the genus Borrelia are pathogenic. Borrelia burgdorferi, for example, causes Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks.The genera Leptospira and Leptonema are strictly aerobic spirochetes that oxidize long-chain fatty acids, like oleic acid, from their host's tissues or the environment to support their growth. Leptospira interrogans is parasitic in humans and causes leptospirosis.

bacterial phylum spirochaetes

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell&#8217;s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased by a flexible outer sheath. When the endoflagella rotates, they create torsion, causing the cell to flex and move in a corkscrew-like motion, aiding penetration through viscous materials or tissues.Spirochetes are often mistaken for spirilla, helical, rod-shaped cells with polar flagella. Unlike spirochetes, spirilla lack an outer sheath, endoflagella, and corkscrew motility. Spirilla are more rigid and larger, while spirochetes are thin (around 0.5 &#956;m) and highly flexible.The genus Spirochaeta includes free-living, anaerobic, and facultatively aerobic spirochetes found in freshwater, sediments, and oceans. Spirochaeta plicatilis inhabits sulfidic freshwater and marine habitats, with bundles of endoflagella around its coiled protoplasmic cylinder. Spirochaeta stenostrepta, an obligate anaerobe in H&#8322;S-rich muds, ferments sugars into ethanol, acetate, lactate, CO&#8322;, and H&#8322;.The genus Cristispira, unique to the crystalline style of mollusks like clams and oysters, aids in food processing in their digestive tracts. Found in both freshwater and marine mollusks, Cristispira has not been cultured, and its specific adaptation to this habitat remains unclear.Anaerobic or microaerophilic spirochetes in the genus Treponema are commensals or pathogens of humans and animals. Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, is unusually thin (0.2 &#956;m) with a flat, wavy morphology. Dark-field microscopy is commonly used to detect it in syphilitic lesions.Other species include T. denticola, which is found in the human oral cavity and is associated with gum disease. It ferments amino acids to produce acetate, CO&#8322;, NH&#8323;, and H&#8322;S. T. saccharophilum resides in the rumen of ruminants, fermenting plant polysaccharides, while T. primitia and T. azotonutricium inhabit termite guts, aiding in cellulose fermentation, acetogenesis, and nitrogen fixation.The genus Borrelia includes pathogens like B. burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease, which is transmitted by ticks. Unique for its linear chromosome, B. burgdorferi infects humans and animals. Other Borrelia species cause diseases in livestock and birds, typically transmitted via tick bites.The genera Leptospira and Leptonema consist of strictly aerobic spirochetes that oxidize long-chain fatty acids, like oleic acid, for growth. Leptospira species are thin, finely coiled, and typically bent into a hook at each end. The group includes free-living (L. biflexa) and parasitic (L. interrogans) species.L. interrogans strains infect humans and animals, with rodents being the primary hosts, though dogs and pigs are also carriers. In humans, leptospirosis is the most common condition caused by Leptospira, leading to kidney and liver damage, nephritis, jaundice, and potentially renal failure or death. The bacteria enter through mucous membranes or skin breaks during contact with infected animals. Domestic animals, like dogs, are vaccinated against leptospirosis as part of a combined distemper&#8211;leptospira&#8211;hepatitis vaccine.

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments ...

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Microbial Diversity

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spirochete shape, motion, and disease

Spirochetes are a group of gram-negative bacteria with a thin, flexible, tightly coiled shape. They live in aquatic sediments and in animals. Some species are harmless, while others cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease.

A key feature of spirochetes is their movement. They use endoflagella, which are flagella located inside the periplasm, the space under the outer layer of the cell. These endoflagella attach at the cell poles and run along the length of the bacterium inside a flexible outer sheath. When they rotate, they twist the cell into a corkscrew-like motion that helps it move through thick liquids and tissues.

Spirochetes are often confused with spirilla. Spirilla are helical or rod-shaped cells with polar flagella, but they lack an outer sheath and endoflagella. They are also more rigid and larger. Spirochetes are much thinner, about 0.5 micrometers wide, and they bend easily.

Scientists divide spirochetes into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and other traits. The genus Spirochaeta includes free-living species that can live without oxygen or with little oxygen. These bacteria are found in freshwater, sediments, and oceans. Spirochaeta plicatilis lives in sulfidic freshwater and marine habitats, and its endoflagella form bundles around the coiled cell. Spirochaeta stenostrepta is an obligate anaerobe in H2S-rich muds. It ferments sugars and produces ethanol, acetate, lactate, CO2, and H2.

Cristispira is another genus. It lives in the crystalline style of mollusks such as clams and oysters and helps with food processing in their digestive tracts. It is found in both freshwater and marine mollusks, but it has not been cultured, so its special adaptation to this habitat is still unclear.

Treponema species are anaerobic or microaerophilic spirochetes that live as commensals or pathogens in humans and animals. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis and is extremely thin, about 0.2 micrometers wide, with a flat, wavy shape. Dark-field microscopy is often used to detect it in syphilitic lesions. Other species include T. denticola in the human mouth, where it is linked to gum disease, T. saccharophilum in the rumen of ruminants, and T. primitia and T. azotonutricium in termite guts, where they help with cellulose fermentation, acetogenesis, and nitrogen fixation.

The genus Borrelia includes important pathogens such as B. burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease and spreads through tick bites. This species is unusual because it has a linear chromosome. Other Borrelia species cause disease in livestock and birds and are also transmitted by ticks.

Leptospira and Leptonema are strictly aerobic spirochetes that grow by oxidizing long-chain fatty acids such as oleic acid. Leptospira species are thin, finely coiled, and often hooked at both ends. The group includes free-living L. biflexa and parasitic L. interrogans. Rodents are the main hosts for L. interrogans, although dogs and pigs can also carry it. In humans, leptospirosis can damage the kidneys and liver and may cause nephritis, jaundice, renal failure, or death. The bacteria enter through mucous membranes or skin breaks after contact with infected animals. Dogs are vaccinated against leptospirosis with a combined distemper–leptospira–hepatitis vaccine.

Spirochete Shape, Motion, and Disease

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Spirochetes are a group of gram-negative bacteria with a thin, flexible, tightly coiled shape. They live in aquatic sediments and in animals. Some species are harmless, while others cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease. A key feature of spirochetes is their movement. They use endoflagella, which are flagella located inside the periplasm, the space under the outer layer of the cell. These endoflagella attach at the cell poles and run along the length of the bacterium inside a...

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key terms and concepts

Explore spirochete structure, corkscrew motility, and major genera like Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira, plus diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease.

Spirochete Shape, Motion, and Disease | JoVE K12

JoVE Core Microbiology provides an engaging introduction to the microbial world and its influence on health, industry, and the environment. This comprehensive collection covers key concepts such as microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, and ecology. It introduces essential laboratory techniques and microscopy methods through visually engaging animations. Corresponding scientist-in-action videos bridge classroom concepts with real-world research and applications.

microbiology

Spirochete Shape, Motion, and Disease

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