An investigation of virulence factors of Legionella pneumophila environmental isolates


Arslan-Aydogdu E. Ö., Kimiran A.

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, cilt.49, sa.1, ss.189-199, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 49 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2018
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.bjm.2017.03.012
  • Dergi Adı: BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.189-199
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Legionella pneumophila, Pathogenicity, Virulence of environmental isolates, LEGIONNAIRES-DISEASE BACTERIUM, INTRACELLULAR GROWTH, BIOFILM FORMATION, ENZYMATIC-ACTIVITIES, HUMAN MONOCYTES, CELLS, MECHANISMS, EXPRESSION, FLAGELLUM, HOSTS
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Nine Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from cooling towers and a standard strain (L. pneumophila serogroup 1, ATCC 33152, Philadelphia 1) were analyzed and compared in terms of motility, flagella structure, ability to form biofilms, enzymatic activities (hemolysin, nucleases, protease, phospholipase A, phospholipase C, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lipase), hemagglutination capabilities, and pathogenicity in various host cells (Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC 30234, mouse peritoneal macrophages and human peripheral monocytes). All the isolates of bacteria appeared to be motile and polar-flagellated and possessed the type-IV fimbria. Upon the evaluation of virulence factors, isolate 4 was found to be the most pathogenic strain, while 6 out of the 9 isolates (the isolates 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7) were more virulent than the ATCC 33152 strain. The different bacterial strains exhibited differences in properties such as adhesion, penetration and reproduction in the hosts, and preferred host type. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the virulence of environmental L. pneumophila strains isolated in Turkey, and it provides important information relevant for understanding the epidemiology of L. pneumophila. (C) 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda.