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Treponema

(Science: bacteria) genus of bacteria of the spirochaete family (spirochaetaceae).

treponema pallidum causes syphilis. Cells are corkscrew like, (6-15um long,0.1-0.2um wide), motile, anaerobic and with a peptidoglycan cell wall and a capsule of glycosaminoglycans similar to hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate in composition. Membrane has cardiolipin.