spirochaete
/ˈspaɪrəˌkit/
noun
- A type of bacteria that has a long, spiral shape and can cause diseases such as syphilis and Lyme disease.
- The doctor explained that a spirochaete was responsible for the patient's infection.
- Under the microscope, the spirochaete appeared as a thin, corkscrew-shaped organism.
- Lyme disease is caused by a spirochaete transmitted through tick bites.