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Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Bacterial Phylum Spirochaetes

Spirochetes, unique bacteria in the phylum Spirochaetes, are gram-negative, motile, tightly coiled, slender, and flexible. They inhabit aquatic sediments and animals, with some causing diseases like syphilis. Spirochetes are classified into eight genera based on habitat, pathogenicity, phylogeny, and characteristics.Their distinctive motility arises from endoflagella, located within the cell’s periplasm. These endoflagella anchor at the cell poles and extend along the cell length, encased...

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Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR

Published on: February 4, 2018

Does Lyme disease exist in Australia?

Peter J Collignon¹, Gary D Lum², Jennifer Mb Robson³

¹Australian National University, Canberra, ACT Peter.Collignon@act.gov.au.

The Medical Journal of Australia

|November 5, 2016

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

There is no evidence of classic Lyme disease in Australia. Treating chronic Lyme disease-like illness with prolonged antibiotics is unjustified and potentially harmful, lacking scientific support.

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Last Updated: Mar 12, 2026

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Methods for Rapid Transfer and Localization of Lyme Disease Pathogens Within the Tick Gut

Methods for Rapid Transfer and Localization of Lyme Disease Pathogens Within the Tick Gut

Published on: February 14, 2011

Area of Science:

Medical Microbiology
Infectious Diseases
Public Health

Background:

Classic Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium not found in Australian animals or ticks.
Lyme disease diagnosed in Australia is typically acquired overseas, primarily in Europe.
There is a growing demand for "chronic Lyme disease" diagnoses and treatments in Australia, despite a lack of supporting evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the evidence for classic Lyme disease occurrence in Australia.
To assess the justification for prolonged antibiotic therapy in patients with "Lyme disease-like illness" in Australia.

Main Methods:

Review of existing scientific literature and clinical evidence regarding Lyme disease in Australia.
Analysis of the risks and benefits of prolonged antibiotic therapy for undiagnosed chronic illnesses.

Main Results:

No convincing evidence supports the occurrence of classic Lyme disease in Australia.
Most laboratory-confirmed Lyme disease cases in Australia were acquired internationally.
Prolonged antibiotic therapy for "Lyme disease-like illness" carries significant risks, including sepsis and antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusions:

Current evidence does not support the diagnosis or treatment of Lyme disease acquired in Australia.
Prolonged antibiotic therapy for "Lyme disease-like illness" is not scientifically justified and poses considerable harm.
Further rigorous clinical studies are required to establish any link between Australian pathogens and chronic debilitating illnesses responsive to antibiotics.