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===Overview===
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*Two families exist, ''Leptospiraceae'' and ''Spirochaetaceae''
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*''Leptospiraceae'' include the pathogens of the genus ''Leptospira''
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*''Spirochaetaceae'' include the pathogens of the genera ''Borrelia'', ''Brachyspira'' and ''Treponema''
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*Many cause zoonotic infections
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===Characteristics===
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*Spiral or helical Gram-negative bacteria
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*Motile organisms via endoflagella
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*Poor survival in the environment and sensitive to dessication
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*Stain poorly with Gram stain
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*Most require specialised media for growth
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*Serology required for identification
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[[Brachyspira hyodysenteriae]]
 
[[Brachyspira hyodysenteriae]]
    
[[Leptospira]]
 
[[Leptospira]]
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