Index >> Bacterial Taxonomy >>Spirochaetes

Spirochaetes is a phylum of distinctive Gram-negative bacteria, which have long, helically coiled cells. Spirochetes are chemoheterotrophic in nature
Spirochaetes are distinguished from other bacterial phyla by the location of their flagella, sometimes called axial filaments, which run lengthwise between the cell membrane and outer membrane. These cause a twisting motion which allows the spirochaete to move about. When reproducing, a spirochaete will undergo asexual transverse binary fission.
The spirochaetes are divided into three families (Brachyspiraceae, Leptospiraceae, and Spirochaetaceae), all placed within a single order (Spirochaetales). Disease-causing members of this phylum include the following:
Leptospira species, which causes leptospirosis
Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lymedisease
Borrelia recurrentis, which causes relapsing fever
Treponema pallidum, which causes syphilis
Treponema pertenue, which causes yaws