Spirochaete (Noun)
Meaning
Parasitic or free-living bacteria; many pathogenic to humans and other animals.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The spirochaete Leptospira interrogans is the causative agent of leptospirosis, a disease that can range from a mild flu-like illness to a severe form of the disease that can cause kidney and liver failure.
- Lyme disease is caused by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
- The spirochaete Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of stomach ulcers and is also associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
- Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the spirochaete Treponema pallidum, which can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy.
- The spirochaete Leptospira santarosai was isolated from soil and water samples from contaminated rivers and streams, highlighting the risk of infection in people who come into contact with polluted water sources.