spirochaete

/ ˈspaɪrəʊˌkiːt /

noun

1. any of a group of spirally coiled rodlike bacteria that includes the causative agent of syphilis See treponema

Word History and Origins

Origin of spirochaete¹

C19: from New Latin spīrochaeta; see spiro- ², chaeta

Example Sentences

A big question is whether the spirochaetes that hang on in this way can replicate and cause disease.

From Nature

What’s particularly pressing is the need for a definitive test to detect the spirochaetes that cause this devastating disease.

From Nature