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