Does anyone know the average lifespan of a spirochete? I suppose it would have to be a spirochete that doesn't go cystic/dormant.
Also does anyone know its average half-life?
Muchas muchas,
Alison
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The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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Greatcod
Unregistered
posted
I don't have a clue, but its a very good question.
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The division time of Borrelia burgdorferi is very long. Most other pathogens such as Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus, only take 20
minutes to double, the doubling time of Borrelia burgdorferi is usually estimated to be 12-24 hours.
Since most antibiotics are cell wall agent inhibitors, they can only kill bacteria when the bacteria begins to divide and form new cell wall.(35,59-62)
This means: Since most antibiotics can only kill bacteria when they are dividing, a slow doubling time means less lethal exposure to antibiotics.
Most bacteria are killed in 10-14 days of antibiotic.
To get the same amount of lethal exposure during new cell wall formation of a Lyme spirochete, the antibiotic would have to be present 24 hours a day for 1 year and six months!
Note from Von: 'Division time' and 'lifespan' the same?
Posts: 258 | From Washington State | Registered: Nov 2005
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Thank you so much for that info. I meant "divison time" when I mistakenly said half life. My bad. See, I have Lyme, and sometimes I can't find the right words for things.
I think that answers one part of my question. I am still wondering how long the actual spirochetes live after division. I wonder if this is even ascertainable do to ther pleomorphic-osity (not a real word, I know)? Pleomorphitude? LOL
How long does a spirochete live, presuposing it does not go into cystic form? Does that make sense?
The reason I am wondering is that I am currently using a couple of electromedicine devices. While they do not kill the bacteria outright, they subtly alter proteins on the outside so they cannot reproduce. Sterilizes them. So that's why I was wondering -- how long I have to wait before the childless 'ketes kick the bucket.
Alison
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The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer. --- Edward R. Murrow Posts: 923 | From California | Registered: Aug 2005
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
bacteria don't reproduce the way we do.. so they do't have a life span like we do that's described by being "born" then dieing at some point down the road.
bacteria either divide- or make spores.. so:
If Lyme is a bacteria that reproduces by division.. by splitting, then it's extremely hard to know what an exact life span of the original bacteria is..maybe a month or less??
If Lyme can produce what's called a "spore" then that spore's ife-span could be years - and I don't know for certain if lyme in it's cystic form is considered a "spore' or not.
I've pondered this question alot.. and figured that the cystic form of lyme can remain viable (but sort of dormant) for a long time...so bottom line is I think some unchecked Lyme bacteria (that are dividing) could have a pretty short life span, but they're constantly dividing and making more of themselves... and others can go dormant (in their cyst form) for years..
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