Molecular characterization of Legionella populations present within slow sand filters used for fungal plant pathogen suppression in horticultural crops.

ABSTRACT: The total bacterial community of an experimental slow sand filter (SSF) was analyzed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of partial 16S rRNA gene PCR products. One dominant band had sequence homology to Legionella species, indicating that these bacteria were a large component of the SSF bacterial community. Populations within experimental and commercial SSF units were studied by using Legionella-specific PCR primers, and products were studied by DGGE and quantitative PCR analyses. In the experimental SSF unit, the DGGE profiles for sand column, reservoir, storage tank, and headwater tank samples each contained at least one intense band, indicating that a single Legionella strain was predominant in each sample. Greater numbers of DGGE bands of equal intensity were detected in

SUBMITTER: Calvo-Bado LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC152400 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature