Spirochete

Spirochetes are spiral-shaped bacteria belonging to the phylum Spirochaetes. These microorganisms have long and thin cells twisted into spirals. Due to their spiral shape, spirochetes are very mobile and capable of active movement.

Spirochetes are the causative agents of a number of dangerous diseases in humans and animals, such as syphilis, relapsing fever, leptospirosis and others. Some species of spirochetes live in the human body as commensals without causing disease.

Spirochetes reproduce by longitudinal cell division. Due to their mobility, they easily penetrate the body tissues and spread through the lymph and blood flow. Antibiotics, in particular penicillin, are used to treat spirochetosis.

Thus, spirochetes are a unique group of bacteria with a spiral shape, among which there are both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species. Their spiral shape and mobility play an important role in infection of the body and the development of diseases.