Search results for "Spirochaete"
showing 4 items of 4 documents
Treponema isoptericolens sp. nov., a novel spirochaete from the hindgut of the termite Incisitermes tabogae.
2008
A novel spirochaete, Treponema sp. strain SPIT5T, was isolated from hindgut contents of the drywood termite Incisitermes tabogae (Snyder). The cells of strain SPIT5T were motile, helical in shape, 0.4-0.5 microm in diameter and generally 12-20 microm long. The strain is obligately anaerobic and ferments different mono-, di- and oligosaccharides by forming ethanol as the main liquid fermentation end product. Furthermore, strain SPIT5T was able to grow anaerobically with yeast extract as sole carbon and energy source. Fastest growth was obtained at 30 degrees C, the temperature at which the termites were also grown. The optimum pH for growth was 7.2, with a range of pH 6.5-8.0. The cells poss…
Morphological and biochemical features of Borrelia burgdorferi pleomorphic forms
2015
The spirochaete bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is the causative agent of Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne infection in the northern hemisphere. There is a long-standing debate regarding the role of pleomorphic forms in Lyme disease pathogenesis, while very little is known about the characteristics of these morphological variants. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of B. burgdorferi pleomorphic formation in different culturing conditions at physiological temperature. Interestingly, human serum induced the bacterium to change its morphology to round bodies (RBs). In addition, biofilm-like colonies in suspension were found to be part of B. burgdorferi’s normal in vitr…
Identification of the ectosymbiotic bacteria of Mixotricha paradoxa involved in movement symbiosis
2003
Mixotricha paradoxa, a trichomonad from the hindgut of the Australian termite Mastotermes darwiniensis Froggatt, is a rare example of a movement symbiosis between eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms. The surface of Mixotricha paradoxa is covered with spirochaetes and a rod-shaped bacterium. The four flagella at the anterior end seem only to alter the direction of movement, while the ectosymbiotic spirochaetes propel the flagellate cells. Based on a 16S rDNA sequence analysis after a semi-specific PCR, and subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization applying helper oligonucleotides and a denaturing step of the 16S rRNA, three different spirochaete clones could be clearly identified o…
TEM observations on symbionts ofJoenia annectens(Flagellata Hypermastigida)
2001
Transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate the ultrastructural morphology of some other symbiotic prokaryotes of Joenia annectens, an intestinal flagellate of the termite Kalotermes flavicollis. Three morphotypes are predominant and recognizable from their morphological characteristics. One morphotype is represented by spirochaetes that are mainly external and cover the flagellate, helping its movement. Rod-shaped bacteria, which represent the second morphotype, are also attached to the surface among the spirochaetes. Rod-shaped bacteria and some spirochaetes may enter the cell surface of Joenia annectens as a consequence of phagocytosis, remaining enclosed in an envelope of plas…