10 Spirochetes (Infectious Bacterial Agents)

Question 1

Treponema Pallidum

Answer 1

-Gram (-) corkscrew/helical shape
-Does not contain LPS
-Virulence: Antigenic variation of surface proteins
-Clincal:
Syphalis (STD) chancres and later CNS degeneration (syphilic dementia); Congenital syphalis (stillbirth/death)

Question 2

Borrelia Burgdorferi

Answer 2

• Gram (-) corkscrew/helical shape
• Does not contain LPS
• Clinical: LYME DISEASE (chronic arthritis/CNS disease)