Treponema pallidum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Spirochaetota |
Class: | Spirochaetia |
Order: | Spirochaetales |
Family: | Treponemataceae |
Genus: | Treponema |
Species: | T. pallidum
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Binomial name | |
Treponema pallidum |
Treponema pallidum, formerly known as Spirochaeta pallida, is a microaerophilic spirochaete bacterium with subspecies that cause the diseases syphilis, bejel (also known as endemic syphilis), and yaws. It is known to be transmitted only among humans[1] and baboons.[2] It is a helically coiled microorganism usually 6–15 μm long and 0.1–0.2 μm wide.[1] T. pallidum's lack of both a tricarboxylic acid cycle and processes for oxidative phosphorylation results in minimal metabolic activity.[3] The treponemes have cytoplasmic and outer membranes. Using light microscopy, treponemes are visible only by using dark-field illumination. T. pallidum consists of three subspecies, T. p. pallidum, T. p. endemicum, and T. p. pertenue, each of which has a distinct associated disease.[4]