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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Serological and molecular identification of Legionella spp. isolated from water and surrounding air samples in Italian healthcare facilities
Maria Teresa MontagnaI. TorreAnna Maria SpagnoloA RossiniSanti DeliaMaria Valeria TorregrossaCesira PasquarellaFrancesca PenninoIda MuraGiorgio LiguoriMarco GuidaNapoli ChristianMaria Luisa CristinaMaria Grazia DeriuMaria Rosaria VillafrateOsvalda De GiglioPasqualina LaganàLucia CannovaStefano TardivoRoberto AlbertiniA. Giulianosubject
microbialSerotypesequence analysisLegionellaColony Count Microbialair microbiologyLegionelladna010501 environmental sciences01 natural sciencesLegionella pneumophilaBiochemistrySerologyMicrobiologySerological typing03 medical and health sciences0302 clinical medicinehealth facilitiesBioaerosol; Legionella; Molecular investigation; Serological typingEnvironmental Science(all)italy030212 general & internal medicineTypingcolony count0105 earth and related environmental sciencesGeneral Environmental ScienceMolecular identificationBioaerosolMolecular investigation2300bioaerosol; legionella; molecular investigation; serological typing; bacterial proteins; colony count microbial; drinking water; health facilities; italy; legionella pneumophila; sequence analysis dna; air microbiology; biochemistry;biologydrinking waterlegionella pneumophilaBioaerosol; Legionella; Molecular investigation; Serological typing.Bioaerosol Legionella Molecular investigation Serological typingSequence Analysis DNASequence typesbacterial infections and mycosesbiology.organism_classificationbacterial proteinsBioaerosol; Legionella; Molecular investigation; Serological typing; 2300; BiochemistryBioaerosoldescription
Abstract Background Legionella is an intracellular microorganism living in natural and artificial aquatic environments. Although its transmission to humans is linked to the inhalation of contaminated aerosols, there is no validated air sampling method for the control and prevention of the disease. The aim of the present study was to provide more information on the distribution of Legionella spp. in indoor environments and to determine whether the same Legionella strains are isolated from air and water samples. Methods Ten healthcare facilities located in seven regions of Italy were enrolled. The serological typing of Legionella spp. from water samples and the surrounding air by active and passive sampling was assessed using polyvalent and monovalent antisera. Subsequently, the strains identified as Legionella pneumophila ( Lpn ) underwent molecular typing by sequence-based typing (SBT) using seven genes ( flaA , pilE , asd , mip , mompS , proA , and neuA ). The allelic profile number was assigned using the European Working Group for Legionella Infections–SBT database. Results Lpn serogroup 6 was the most prevalent serogroup; it was found simultaneously in the air and water samples of three different healthcare facilities. In the remaining seven hospitals, Lpn serogroups 1, 6, 7, 9, and 12 were isolated exclusively from water samples. The molecular investigation showed that Lpn strains in the water and air samples of each positive healthcare facility had the same allelic profile. Strains, identified as sequence types (STs) 728 and ST 1638+ST 1324, were isolated in two respective healthcare facilities, and a new strain, identified as ST 1989, was obtained in one healthcare facility. Conclusion The application of the SBT method allowed to verify the homology among Legionella strains from water samples and the surrounding air. The results showed that the same Lpn strains were present in the air and water samples, and a new Legionella strain was identified.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-04-01 | Environmental Research |