Spirochaeta duttoni is a bacterium responsible for causing the African relapsing fever disease in humans. Its name may seem difficult to spell, but it can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Spirochaeta" is pronounced as "spɪrəʊˈkiːtə" where the stress is on the second syllable. "Duttoni" is pronounced as "ˈdʌtəni" with the stress on the first syllable. Understanding IPA can help in pronouncing and spelling scientific names with ease.
Spirochaeta duttoni is a pathogenic bacterium belonging to the genus Spirochaeta. It is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped bacterium known for causing the disease African Relapsing Fever (ARF) in humans and other mammals.
Spirochaeta duttoni has a unique morphological structure characterized by its long, flexible helical shape. It possesses a periplasmic flagella, which allows it to move in a corkscrew-like motion, facilitating its penetration of host tissues and evasion of the immune system.
African Relapsing Fever caused by Spirochaeta duttoni is typically transmitted to humans through the bites of infected soft ticks of the genus Ornithodoros. The bacteria enter the bloodstream and disseminate throughout the body, resulting in recurrent febrile episodes. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural and impoverished areas, where humans frequently come into contact with infected ticks.
Symptoms of African Relapsing Fever include high fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain, and general malaise. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications such as meningitis, encephalitis, or multi-organ failure.
Diagnosis of the infection is primarily based on clinical presentation, history of exposure, and the detection of the spirochetes in blood smears or by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing. Treatment of African Relapsing Fever typically involves the administration of antibiotics such as penicillin or tetracycline, which effectively target the Spirochaeta duttoni bacterium.
Overall, Spirochaeta duttoni is a bacterium that causes African Relapsing Fever, a febrile illness characterized by recurring episodes of fever and potential
Causes African relapsing fever.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "Spirochaeta duttoni" has its etymology rooted in Latin and English.
The term "Spirochaeta" comes from the Latin words "spīra" meaning "coil" or "spiral" and "chaeta" meaning "bristle" or "hair". It refers to the characteristic coiled shape of the bacterium.
The species name "duttoni" is derived from the English surname "Dutton". The bacterium was named after Sir Albert Dutton, a British medical officer in Uganda, who played a significant role in the study and identification of the disease caused by this particular spirochete.
Combining these two elements, "Spirochaeta duttoni" literally means the "coiled bristle bacterium named after Dutton".