Spirochaete

Spirochaetes (or Spirochetes) are the phylum Spirochaetae. These are double-membrane bacteria with long, helically coiled (spiral-shaped) cells. 

Spirochaetes are bacteria. They have flagella, which run lengthwise between the cell wall and outer membrane. The flagella cause a twisting motion which moves the spirochaete about. 

Most spirochaetes are free-living and anaerobic, but there are many parasitic species.

 Classification 
The spirochaetes are divided into three families (Brachyspiraceae, Leptospiraceae, and Spirochaetaceae). They are all put in a single order, the Spirochaetales. Disease-causing members of this phylum include:

 Leptospira species, some of which cause leptospirosis
 Borrelia species, some of which cause Lyme disease
 Borrelia recurrentis, which causes relapsing fever.
 Treponema pallidum subspecies which cause syphilis and yaws.
  Brachyspira species, which cause intestinal spirochaetosis.

 References 

 Other websites 
 Introduction to the Spirochetes. UCMP. 

category:Gram-negative bacteria