Is a spirochete a virus?

Is a spirochete a virus?

Spirochete, (order Spirochaetales), also spelled spirochaete, any of a group of spiral-shaped bacteria, some of which are serious pathogens for humans, causing diseases such as syphilis, yaws, Lyme disease, and relapsing fever. Examples of genera of spirochetes include Spirochaeta, Treponema, Borrelia, and Leptospira.

How is spirochete transmitted?

Pathogenic spirochetes in the genus Borrelia are transmitted primarily by two families of ticks. The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by the slow-feeding ixodid tick Ixodes scapularis, whereas the relapsing fever spirochete, B.

Is a spirochete a parasite?

The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi is a tick-borne obligate parasite whose normal reservoir is a variety of small mammals [1]. Whereas infection of these natural hosts does not lead to disease, infection of humans can result in Lyme disease, as a consequence of the human immunopathological response to B.

What kingdom does spirochete belong to?

Spirochetes are classified as bacteria in the order Spirochaetales and contain two families—the Spirochaetaceae and the Leptospiraceae. The Spirochaetaceae family includes four genera: Spirochaeta, Cristispira, Treponema, and Borrelia.

What is the best method for viewing spirochetes?

Explanation: Most spirochetes are so thin that they cannot be easily seen by light microscopy, even when Gram-stained; however, dark-field microscopy does provide sufficient contrast and is the method of choice for visualizing these organisms.