Intracellular multiplication ofLegionella pneumophila in amoebae isolated from hospital hot water tanks |
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| Authors: | Dr Barry S Fields Gary N Sanden James M Barbaree William E Morrill Robert M Wadowsky Elizabeth H White James C Feeley |
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| Institution: | (1) Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial Diseases, Center for Infectious Disease, 30333 Atlanta, Georgia;(2) Experimental Pathology Branch, Division of Host Factors, Centers for Disease Control, 30333 Atlanta, Georgia;(3) Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania;(4) Pathogen Control Associates, 4962 Green Oak Drive, Lilburn, Georgia |
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| Abstract: | We studied the ability ofLegionella to multiply in potable water samples obtained from investigations of nosocomial legionellosis. AutochthonousLegionella multiplied in three of 14 hospital water samples after incubation at 35°C and 42°C. All three samples were from hot water tanks. Multiplication did not occur when a selected sample was filtered through a 0.45- m membrane and reinoculated with indigenousLegionella. We isolated bothLegionella pneumophila and one or more species of free-living amoebae, primarity members of theHartmannellidae, from each of these hot water tank samples. Amoebae from a total of six hot water tank samples were used for cocultivation studies withL. pneumophila. All amoebae supported multiplication ofLegionella in coculture at 35°C. Four of six isolates of amoebae supported multiplication oflegionella at 42°C, while none supported multiplication at 45°C. Gimenez staining and electron microscopy showed thatLegionella multiplied intracellularly in amoebae. Control of these amoebae in potable water may prevent colonization and multiplication ofLegionella in domestic hot water systems. |
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