Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Virulence Potential of Legionella pneumophila Isolated from Water Supply Systems of Residential Buildings in Latvia.

ABSTRACT: Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen with a biphasic life cycle that occasionally infects humans. The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of virulence genes and genetic diversity among L. pneumophila isolated from water supply systems of residential buildings in Latvia. In total, 492 water samples from 200 residential buildings were collected. Identification of Legionella spp. was performed according to ISO 11731, and 58 isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. At least one Legionella-positive sample was found in 112 out of 200 apartment buildings (56.0%). The study revealed extensive sequence-type diversity, where 58 L. pneumophila isolates fell into 36 different sequence types. A total of 420 virulence genes were identified, of

SUBMITTER: Valcina O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10385952 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature