Survival of Legionella pneumophila within cysts of Acanthamoeba polyphaga following chlorine exposure |
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| Authors: | S Kilvington† Jackie Price† |
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| Institution: | Public Health Laboratory, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG;Department of Histopathology, Area Central Laboratory, Royal United Hospital, Bath BA1 3NG, UK |
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| Abstract: | The association between Legionella pneumophila and the free-living amoeba Acanthamoeba polyphaga was studied. Intracellular growth of L. pneumophila within amoebic trophozoite was confirmed by kinetic growth experiments, light and electron microscopy. Cysts produced from infected trophozoites were found to protect the legionellas from at least 50 mg/l free chlorine. The ability of L. pneumophila to survive within the cysts of A. polyphaga is suggested as a possible mechanism by which the organism evades disinfection and spreads to colonize new environments. |
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