noun
- spiral-shaped bacteria that move by means of axial filaments, including species that cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease
Usage: medical; microbiology
Examples
- Spirochaetes are characterized by their distinctive corkscrew shape.
- The laboratory identified spirochaetes in the patient’s blood sample.
- Lyme disease is caused by spirochaetes transmitted through tick bites.
- Under the microscope, spirochaetes display a characteristic twisting motion.
- Some spirochaetes are harmless, while others cause serious infections.
- The antibiotic treatment was effective against the spirochaetes.