TREPONEMA Meaning and
Definition
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Treponema is a genus of highly motile and spiral-shaped bacteria belonging to the phylum Spirochaetes. These microorganisms are characterized by their helical nature and possess an outer sheath that allows them to move in a corkscrew-like manner. Treponema bacteria are typically anaerobic, meaning they thrive in environments devoid of oxygen.
There are several species of Treponema, with some being harmless commensals that inhabit the human oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. However, others are pathogenic and can cause various diseases in humans and other animals.
One of the most well-known and medically significant species within the genus is Treponema pallidum, which is responsible for causing syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection. This pathogenic species is transmitted through sexual contact or from an infected mother to her unborn child during pregnancy. The bacteria can invade various tissues and organs, resulting in a wide range of clinical manifestations and complications if left untreated.
Treponema bacteria are highly sensitive to antibiotics like penicillin, which is the primary treatment for syphilis. However, the bacteria's ability to evade the immune system and long incubation periods can make diagnosis and treatment challenging.
In summary, Treponema refers to a genus of motile and spiral-shaped bacteria, some of which can cause significant infectious diseases such as syphilis. These bacteria possess unique characteristics that allow them to move in a corkscrew manner and thrive in oxygen-poor environments.
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A genus of Mastigophora, or flagellated protozoans, the members of which have a long slender body with numerous cork-screw-like coils, and a flagellum at each extremity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TREPONEMA
- rreponema
- freponema
- greponema
- yreponema
- 6reponema
- 5reponema
- teeponema
- tdeponema
- tfeponema
- tteponema
- t5eponema
- t4eponema
- trwponema
- trsponema
- trdponema
- trrponema
- tr4ponema
- tr3ponema
- treoonema
Etymology of TREPONEMA
The word "treponema" has its etymology rooted in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "trepein", meaning "to turn or twist", and the Greek word "nema", meaning "thread or filament". When combined, these two elements form "treponema", which reflects the spiral or helical shape of the bacteria belonging to the genus Treponema.
Similar spelling words for TREPONEMA
- troponym,
- trepan,
- tripinnated,
- tripinnate,
- trephine,
- troponomy,
- trapani,
- Trepanier,
- tarpanam,
- treponeme,
- Terpinum,
- tribonema,
- Trepanum,
- trepang,
- drepanium,
- troponymy,
- true pine.
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