Legionella feeleii: Ubiquitous Pathogen in the Environment and Causative Agent of Pneumonia.

ABSTRACT: L. feeleii is one of the most frequent Legionella species isolated from natural pools of the central region of Spain. This study aimed to evaluate its ecology and to identify this Legionella species as a respiratory pathogen. A PCR assay for detecting the L. feeleii mip gene was developed to identify it in clinical and environmental samples. Culture and PCR were performed in environmental samples from four drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Free L. feeleii was only detected in raw water samples (3.4%), while L. feeleii as an Acanthamoeba endosymbiont was found in 30.7% of raw water, 11.5% of decanter biofilm, and 32% of finished water samples. Therefore, Acanthamoeba spp. plays an essential role in the multiplication, persistenc

SUBMITTER: Vaccaro L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8369763 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature