title: Species-specific detection of Legionella pneumophila in water by DNA amplification and hybridization.
abstract: A sensitive detection system specific for Legionella pneumophila in water was developed. This system is based on amplification of a chromosomal DNA sequence from L. pneumophila by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by detection of the amplified product by hybridization of a radiolabeled oligodeoxynucleotide. After 35 cycles of amplification, a water sample which had been seeded with 35 CFU of L. pneumophila contained sufficient amplified DNA to be detected on dot blots. Bacteria of other genera tested did not generate positive signals under these conditions. Application of this technique to environmental water samples may help identify the natural reservoirs of nosocomial and community-acquired L. pneumophila infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Starnbach
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Falkow
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Tompkins
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D007875:Legionella / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D013045:Species Specificity; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial