Spiral bacteria – Spirochete

Spirochetes are flagellated gram-negative bacteria. Spirochetes possess axial filaments or endoflagella. The axial filament runs the length of the spirochete and extends beyond the cell wall. The filament assists provides motility and allows the rigid spirochete to rotate like a corkscrew.

The spirochetes have been described to "creep" or "crawl" on solid surfaces by mechanisms involving rotational movement similar to that in liquid media or nonrotational movement by a process that is similar to that of gliding bacteria.

The spirochetes have numerous techniques to ensure survival. Because antibiotics and other similar therapies are distributed in the blood, the spirochete attempts to move away for blood rich areas to evade the threat. The spirochete is very competent at this – its spiral, drill-capable shape allows it to penetrate even the densest tissue, including cartilage and even bone.

As spirochetes drill to get out of the way they soon move to and infect new “territory” within the body. Spirochetes-related human diseases in the United States include Lyme disease, relapsing fever, syphilis and leptospirosis.
Spiral bacteria - Spirochete