Effect of temperature and viscosity on the motility of the spirochete Treponema denticola.
Treponema denticola is an oral spirochete associated with periodontal diseases. Because bacterial motility is likely to be a potential virulence factor, we investigated the effect of viscosity and temperature on cell speed. In agreement with the work of others, translational motility was a function of the macroscopic viscosity of the medium. In addition, we found that although the speed of spirochetes was slow at 25 degrees C (4 microns s-1), it increased quite markedly at 35 degrees C (19 microns s-1). The results indicate that both viscosity and temperature are critical factors in T. denticola translational motility.
Ruby
J D
JD
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Morgantown 26506-9177, USA.
Charon
N W
NW
D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D013696:Temperature; D014208:Treponema / Q000502:physiology*; D014783:Viscosity
D003470:Culture Media