What does spirochete mean?
A spirochete is a slender, flexible bacterium whose body forms a tight spiral. Its characteristic shape is not merely decorative: bundles of internal flagella, called axial filaments, twist around the bacterial cell and propel it through liquid with a corkscrew-like motion. This allows the organisms to move efficiently through viscous environments, including mucus, connective tissue, and laboratory culture media. Spirochetes form a taxonomic group, and several species are medically important. Treponema pallidum causes syphilis, while bacteria in the genus Borrelia can cause Lyme disease and other infections. Not every spiral-shaped bacterium is technically a spirochete, so the word should not be used as a general synonym for spiral bacterium. In American English, spirochete is the usual spelling; British English traditionally favors spirochaete, although both forms are understood. The word is especially useful in microbiology, epidemiology, and clinical medicine because identifying a spirochete can provide important diagnostic information.
nounA spiral-shaped bacterium, especially one belonging to the order Spirochaetales, characterized by flexible twisting bodies and internal flagella that enable corkscrew-like movement. Some species cause diseases such as syphilis, Lyme disease, and leptospirosis.
- Any bacterium belonging to the order Spirochaetales, a group characterized by a flexible, spiral-shaped body.
- Any of various spiral-shaped bacteria that move by means of axial filaments, including medically important species that cause infections.
"Researchers identified the spirochete responsible for the outbreak through genetic testing of patient samples."
"The test was designed to detect DNA from the spirochete that causes syphilis."
"The researchers compared the genetic sequence of the new spirochete with those of known disease-causing species."
Used for multiple bacteria belonging to the spirochete group.
"Several spirochetes were identified in the sample."
A spirochete moves like a microscopic corkscrew, corkscrewing through tissues with the help of internal flagella.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spirochete come from?
The term comes from New Latin spirochaeta, derived from Greek spirōchaitēs, a compound of speira, meaning “coil” or “spiral,” and chaitē, meaning “long hair” or “mane.” The name refers to the organism's spiral form and hair-like flagella. Its English scientific use developed during the late 19th century as microscopists and bacteriologists established the distinctive structure of these organisms.
Related word forms
How spirochete is actually used
In scientific and medical usage, spirochete ordinarily refers to members of the taxonomic group Spirochaetales rather than to every bacterium with a spiral form. The spelling spirochaete is common in British English.
Easily confused with spirochete
Spirochaete is a chiefly British spelling of spirochete, while spirochete is the standard spelling in American English and is also accepted in British usage.