title: Micro- and macromethod assays for the ecological study of Legionella pneumophila.
abstract: The survival of a strain of Legionella pneumophila (Lp-1) inoculated in artificial water microcosms was investigated with and without an amoebal host and varying environmental conditions, such as biofilm formation, amount of nutrients and incubation temperature. The results obtained using short (micromethod) and long (macromethod) term methods showed that L. pneumophila Lp-1 dies rapidly at 4 degrees C in the "macromethod" assay. When the same temperature (4 degrees C) was applied to the "micromethod" assay, L. pneumophila Lp-1 survived for three weeks, although it progressively decreased. At an incubation temperature of 30 degrees C, the aquatic environment was more favourable and better survival emerged in the "macromethod"; in contrast, this favourable temperature condition did not improve the survival of L. pneumophila Lp-1 cultured with the "micromethod". The role of the protozoa Acanthamoeba polyphaga proved to be indispensable for legionella survival only when environmental conditions become unfavourable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guerrieri
authors.forename: Moreno
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bondi
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ciancio
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Borella
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Messi
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D000818:Animals; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D017753:Ecosystem; D016952:Legionella pneumophila / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media