Spirochetes are long, helical, motile bacteria that include the genera Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, presenting initially with a chancre then secondary and latent stages before potential progression to tertiary disease. Borrelia burgdorferi causes Lyme disease transmitted by ticks, presenting with a skin lesion and flu-like symptoms. These spirochetes are diagnosed via microscopy, culture, and serology. Penicillin is the treatment of choice for diseases caused by Treponema and Borrelia.

1. SPIROCHAETES Dr Sabrina Moyo Department of Microbiology and Immunology

6. Structure

8. Treponema: Regular spiral coils 1 µm apart

15. Primary syphilis

17. Secondary syphilis

20. Tertiary syphilis

28. Borrelia: Irregular spirals

33. Borrelia sp. in blood smear

40. Lyme disease

44. Leptospira: Tightly coiled, thin and flexible

49. Leptospira