Sodium levels and grazing pressure shape natural communities of the intracellular pathogen Legionella.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Legionella are parasites of freshwater protozoa, responsible for Legionellosis. Legionella can be found in a variety of aquatic environments, including rivers, lakes, and springs, as well as in engineered water systems where they can potentially lead to human disease outbarks. Legionella are considered to be predominantly freshwater organisms with a limited ability to proliferate in saline environments. Exposure of Legionella to high sodium concentrations inhibits growth and virulence of laboratory strains, particularly under elevated temperatures. Nonetheless, Legionella have been identified in some saline environments where they likely interact with various protozoan hosts. In this work, we examine how these selection pressures, sodium and grazing, help shape Legionell

SUBMITTER: Bergman O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10388490 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature