title: DNA polymorphisms in strains of Legionella pneumophila serogroups 3 and 4 detected by macrorestriction analysis and their use for epidemiological investigation of nosocomial legionellosis.
abstract: Genomic DNAs of clinical and environmental isolates of Legionella pneumophila belonging to serogroups 3 and 4 were analyzed by macrorestriction analysis by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The restriction enzymes SfiI and NotI allowed easy visual separation of epidemiologically unrelated serogroup 3 strains. Three unrelated serogroup 3 strains that were isolated from different locations were identical by this genome mapping technique. Five unrelated serogroup 4 strains were separable by this technique. The electrophoretic patterns obtained after SfiI or NotI cleavage of the DNA of strains isolated from four patients with hospital-acquired legionellosis were identical to the patterns of strains isolated from the hot water supply systems of the buildings in which the patients were hospitalized. In conclusion, macrorestriction analysis is a valuable tool for epidemiological studies of infections caused by L. pneumophila serogroups 3 and 4.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Lück
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maiwald
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Helbig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D005860:Germany, West / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007877:Legionnaires' Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012703:Serotyping; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C041749:endodeoxyribonuclease SfiI; D015252:Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific; C038565:GCGGCCGC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases