Legionella pneumophila: identification in tissue sections by a new immunoenzymatic procedure.
A modified glucose oxidase immunoenzyme technique was shown to be highly sensitive and specific for detection of serogroup 1 Legionella pneumophila in 4% formaldehyde solution-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. There was complete concordance between infection with L pneumophila and detection of the organisms in tissue sections by glucose oxidase immunoenzyme staining. The L pneumophila organisms stained blue-black and were found within phagocytic cells as well as in the extracellular space. A cloud of blue-black pigment, probably representing diffusable antigen, was present in the extracellular spaces in the area of L pneumophila localization. No false-positive or false-negative reactions were found. This technique requires no specialized equipment, may be applicable to retrospective diagnostic problems, and can be adapted to routine diagnostic practice.
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005949:Glucose Oxidase; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera / Q000276:immunology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000276:immunology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D007106:Immune Sera; D005949:Glucose Oxidase