Role of biofilms in the survival of Legionella pneumophila in a model potable-water system

Citation
R. Murga et al., Role of biofilms in the survival of Legionella pneumophila in a model potable-water system, MICROBI-SGM, 147, 2001, pp. 3121-3126
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
Microbiology
Journal title
MICROBIOLOGY-SGM
ISSN journal
13500872 → ACNP
Volume
147
Year of publication
2001
Part
11
Pages
3121 - 3126
Database
ISI
SICI code
1350-0872(200111)147:<3121:ROBITS>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Legionellae can infect and multiply intracellularly in both human phagocyti c cells and protozoa. Growth of legionellae in the absence of protozoa has been documented only on complex laboratory media. The hypothesis upon which this study was based was that biofilm matrices, known to provide a habitat and a gradient of nutrients, might allow the survival and multiplication o f legionellae outside a host cell. This study determined whether Legionella pneumophila can colonize and grow in biofilms with and without an associat ion with Hartmannella vermiformis. The laboratory model used a rotating dis c reactor at a retention time of 6(.)7 h to grow biofilms on stainless stee l coupons. The biofilm was composed of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella p neumoniae and a Flavobacterium sp. The levels of L. pneumophila cells prese nt in the biofilm were monitored for 15 d, with and without the presence of H. vermiformis, and it was found that, although unable to replicate in the absence of H. vermiformis, L. pneumophila was able to persist.