Unit 4 - Spirochaetaceae and Leptospira Flashcards
What is the shape of organisms in the order Spirochaetales?
flexous, helically coiled, spiral organisms
What are the two families of importance in the order Spirochaetales?
Leptospiraceae and Spirochaetaceae
Leptospiraceae and Spirochaetaceae are collectively referred to as __________.
spirochetes
What are spirochetes made up of (their parts)?
protoplasmic cylinder, cell wall, periplasmic flagella, and outer sheath
What is the protoplasmic cylinder composed of?
the cytoplasm and the cytoplasmic membrane of the organism
What surrounds the protoplasmic cylinder in spirochetes?
the cell wall
One to one hundred _______ are present on all spirochetes.
flagella
What are the flagella of the spirochetes connected to and what is the attachment site called?
the protoplasmic cylinder - the basal insertion plate or disc
True or False: If there were to be a cross section at the middle of a spirochete there would be two times as many flagella than at the end.
TRUE
What does viscotaxis mean?
the ability to move through rather viscid substrates such as 1% agar and intestinal mucus
What is found in the outer sheath of spirochetes?
LPS
True or False: The flagella are contained outside of the outer sheath of spirochetes
FALSE
Are sprirochetes gram negative or positive?
negative - but they do not stain well with the gram stain
What is the basic taxonomic unit of the genus Leptospira?
serovar - the serovar name is capitalized
What are the common serovars of Leptospira interrogans?
Icterohemorrhagiae, Canicola, Pomona, Autumnalis, and Bratislava
What are the common serovars of Leptospira noguchii?
Pomona
What are the common serovars of Leptospira borgpetersenii?
Hardjo
What are the common serovars of Leptospira kirschneri?
Grippotyphosa
What is the morphology of Leptospires.
they are motile, spiral rods with one or both ends hooked
What is the outermembrane of Leptospira covered by?
a slime
What is the best way to visualize Leptospira?
with darkfield microscopy
What conditions, in regards to oxygen, does Leptospira prefer?
microaerophilic conditions
What does Leptospira utilize for carbon and energy services?
long chain fatty acids and alcohols
What is typically added to media to bind Leptospira to serum or albumin?
Vitamin B1 or B12
What can Leptospira utilize as nitrogen sources?
ammonium salts
What virulence factors does Leptospira have?
viscotaxis and cytotoxin