1. SPIROCHETES
DR .JEYAKUMAR NELSON
UNIT OF MICROBIOLOGY
MBBS -BATCH 17

2. Lecture 21 & 22 : Spirochetes
The objectives of this lecture are to
discuss the classification of Spirochetes.
describe the general characteristics of
Treponema, Leptospira and Borrelia.
discuss the epidemiology, pathogenicity,
laboratory diagnosis, prophylaxis and
principles of treatment of diseases
caused by Spirochetes.

3. Learning Outcomes list the medically important genus among
At the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
list the medically important genus among
spirochetes.
discuss the morphology and virulence of
Treponema pallidum, Borrelia burgdorferi and
Leptospira interrogans.
distinguish between screening tests and
confirmatory tests done for “syphilis”.

4. Spirochete from Greek for “coiled hair”

6. Classification of Spirochetes

7. Spirochaetales Associated Human Diseases
Genus
Species
Disease
Treponema
pallidum ssp. pallidum
pallidum ssp. endemicum
pallidum ssp. pertenue
carateum
Syphilis
Bejel
Yaws
Pinta
Borrelia
burgdorferi
recurrentis
Many species
Lyme disease (borreliosis)
Epidemic relapsing fever
Endemic relapsing fever
Leptospira
interrogans
Leptospirosis
(Weil’s Disease)

8. Note Trepos= turn, nema= thread, pallidum=pale staining
Dr.P.K.Rajesh.M.D

9. OVERVIEW

11. Morphology and virulence

15. Penile Chancre
Labial Chancre
Facial Chancre
Mucous Membrane

20. Saber shins
Hutchinson’s teeth
Saddle nose

21. LABORTORY DIAGNOSIS
DETETION

22. Darkfield Microscopy of Treponema pallidum

25. Screening tests and confirmatory tests for syphilis
Primary
Secondary
Confirmatory tests
Dark ground Microscopy
Serological tests
Screening tests
VDRL/RPR
Wasserman’s CFT
FTA-ABS
TPHA
TP-EIA
Distinguish between screening tests and confirmatory tests for syphilis
SCREENING
Initiated by Doctor
CONFIRMATORY
Initiated by patient
Apparently healthy
Sick or screening test positive
Less accurate
More accurate
Less expensive
More expensive
Applies to all
Based on 1 criteria
Not basis for treatment
Applies to individual
Signs,symptoms,lab
Basis for treatment

26. ....

30. Morphology and virulence

37. Comparison of Diagnostic Tests for Leptospirosis

38. DIRECT EXAMINATION Microscopy -Fontana staining and DFM
Culture media-EMJH
PCR –Molecular diagnosis
Microscopy -Fontana staining and DFM

40. Lyme disease
Borrelia burgdorferi
Dr.P.K.Rajesh.M.D

44. Epidemiology of Borrelia Infections
Pediculus humanus
Borrelia recurrentis
Ornithodoros spp.
Borrelia spp.
Ixodes spp.
Borrelia burgdorferi

45. Morphology and virulence

46. -overview
-overview

47. Pathogenesis of Lyme Borreliosis
Lyme disease characterized by three stages:
Initially a unique skin lesion (erythema chronicum migrans (ECM)) with general malaise
ECM not seen in all infected hosts
ECM often described as bulls eye rash
Lesions periodically reoccur
Subsequent stage seen in 5-15% of patients with neurological or cardiac involvement
Third stage involves migrating episodes of non-destructive, but painful arthritis
Acute illness treated with phenoxymethylpenicillin or tetracycline

48. Epidemiology of Lyme diseases

50. Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis

52. THANK YOU