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Appl Environ Microbiol, May 1998, p. 1688-1693, Vol. 64, No. 5
0099-2240/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Isolation of an Amoeba Naturally Harboring a Distinctive Legionella Species

Anthony L. Newsome,1,* Tammy M. Scott,1 Robert F. Benson,2 and Barry S. Fields2

Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37132,1 and National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 303332

Received 5 December 1997/Accepted 9 March 1998

There are numerous in vitro studies documenting the multiplication of Legionella species in free-living amoebae and other protozoa. It is believed that protozoa serve as host cells for the intracellular replication of certain Legionella species in a variety of environmental settings. This study describes the isolation and characterization of a bacterium initially observed within an amoeba taken from a soil sample. In the laboratory, the bacterium multiplied within and was highly pathogenic for Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Extracellular multiplication was observed on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar but not on a variety of conventional laboratory media. A 16S rRNA gene analysis placed the bacterium within the genus Legionella. Serological studies indicate that it is distinct from previously described species of the genus. This report also describes methods that should prove useful for the isolation and characterization of additional Legionella-like bacteria from free-living amoebae. In addition, the characterization of bacterial pathogens of amoebae has significant implications for understanding the ecology and identification of other unrecognized bacterial pathogens.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Biology, Middle Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 60, Murfreesboro, TN 37132. Phone: (615) 898-2058. Fax: (615) 898-5093. E-mail: anewsome{at}frank.mtsu.edu.

Appl Environ Microbiol, May 1998, p. 1688-1693, Vol. 64, No. 5
0099-2240/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


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