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Legionella pneumophila Grows Adherent to Surfaces in vitro and in situ

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 June 2016

J.B. Wright ,
I. Ruseska ,
M.A. Athar ,
S. Corbett  and
J.W. Costerton
J.B. Wright*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta
I. Ruseska
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta
M.A. Athar
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Calgary District Hospital Group, Calgary, Alberta
S. Corbett
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Calgary District Hospital Group, Calgary, Alberta
J.W. Costerton
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Alberta
*
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaT2N LW4
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Abstract

Legionella pneumophila continues to play a role in both community- and nosocomially-acquired pneumonia. We investigated the ability of L pneumophila to adhere to various types of materials such as those found in the hospital air-cooling and potable water distribution systems. Through the use of a unique sampling apparatus, we were able to regularly acquire planktonic and sessile samples and determine the numbers of bacteria present in both populations, in vitro and in situ.

Portions of these apparatuses could be aseptically removed for examination by scanning electron microscopy, or for the determination of the number of viable adherent L pneumophila. The number of bacteria present in each sample was determined by direct plate count, with presumptive L pneumophila colonies being positively identified by direct fluorescent antibody staining techniques.

The results demonstrated that not only are legionellae capable of colonizing various metallic and nonmetallic surfaces but that they are preferentially found on surfaces. Surface-adherent bacteria may play a profound role as a reservoir of these potential pathogens in aquatic environments. Furthermore, these results suggest that any comprehensive legionella monitoring program must include not only water samples but also an examination of the adherent populations.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 10 , Issue 9 , September 1989 , pp. 408 - 415
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1989

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