Leptospiral structure, physiology, and metabolism.
Members of the family Leptospiraceae are thin, spiral, highly motile bacteria that are best visualized by darkfield microscopy. These characteristics are shared with other members of the Order Spirochaetales, but few additional parallels exist among spirochetes. This chapter describes basal features of Leptospira Leptospira that are central to survival and, in the case of pathogenic leptospiral species, intimately linked with pathogenesis, including its morphology, characteristic motility, and unusual metabolism. This chapter also describes the general methodology and critical requirements for in vitro cultivation and storage of Leptospira within a laboratory setting.
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 3P6, Canada, caroc@uvic.ca.
Caroline E
CE
Cameron
D003470:Culture Media; D007919:Leptospira / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009068:Movement; D019897:Periplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003470:Culture Media