Problems associated with identification of Legionella species from the environment and isolation of six possible new species

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:6743605

Wilkinson, I J; Sangster, N; Ratcliff, R M; Mugg, P A; Davos, D E; Lanser, J A ^[1]

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1. Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide (Australia)

Following investigation of an outbreak of legionellosis in South Australia, numerous Legionella-like organisms were isolated from water samples. Because of the limited number of commercially available direct fluorescent-antibody reagents and the cross-reactions found with some reagents, non-pneumophila legionellae proved to be difficult to identify and these isolates were stored at -70{degree}C for later study. Latex agglutination reagents for Legionella peneumpphila and Legionella anisa developed by the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide, Australia, were found to be useful as rapid screening aids. Autofluorescence was useful for placing isolates into broad groups. Cellular fatty acid analysis, ubiquinone analysis, and DNA hybridization techniques were necessary to provide definitive identification. The species which were isolated most frequently were L. pneumophila, followed by L. anisa, Legionella jamestowniensis, Legionella quinlivanii, Legionella rubrilucens, Legionella spiritensis, and a single isolate each of Legionella erythra, Legionella jordanis, Legionella birminghamensis, and Legionella cincinnatiensis. In addition, 10 isolates were found by DNA hybridization studies to be unrelated to any of the 26 currently known species, representing what the authors believe to be 6 possible new species.

• OSTI ID: 6743605
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Vol. 56:3; ISSN 0099-2240
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
LEGIONELLA ANISA
TAXONOMY
LEGIONELLA PNEUMOPHILA
AIR CONDITIONERS
COOLING TOWERS
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
SAMPLING
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
BACTERIA
BIOLOGY
HYBRIDIZATION
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
MICROORGANISMS
TOWERS
550700* - Microbiology
010900 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Environmental Aspects