Legionella pneumophila in the environment: the occurrence of a fastidious bacterium in oligotrophic conditions

摘要: Legionella pneumophila, a micro-organism encountered in aquatic environments, can cause serious intracellular infections among humans. Since the bacterium is ubiquitous habitats, it appears to be impossible prevent L. pneumophila from entering man-made water systems. However, many questions concerning survival and/or growth environment, partners and opponents of remain unanswered. This review focuses on factors governing ecology since there considerable divergence even contradiction literature its environmental requirements. A key question resolved discrepancy between fastidious nature axenic cultures (e.g. 400 mg l−1 L-cysteine 250 l-1 ferric iron) nutritionally poor environments which commonly detected. It assumed that dense microbial communities, as occurring sediments biofilms – but not likely surface drinking water, provide necessary requirements for pneumophila. most studies have led general opinion organism only multiply environment parasite certain protozoa. The discovery non-classical siderophore legiobactin also indicates iron requirement autonomous high has been assumed. thus order control focus should eradication hotspots resides