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Ginevra C, Beraud L, Pionnier I, Sallabery K, Bentayeb H, Simon B, Allam C, Chastang J, Ibranosyan M, Decroix V, Campese C, Jarraud S, Descours G. Detection of highly macrolide-resistant Legionella pneumophila strains from a hotel water network using systematic whole-genome sequencing. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:2167-2170. [PMID: 35678276 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Implementation of an antibiotic resistance detection tool in Legionella daily surveillance at the French National Reference Centre for Legionella. METHODS Systematic WGS of Legionella pneumophila isolates and bioinformatics detection of specific mutations linked to antibiotic resistance. Phenotypic validation of antibiotic resistance detected by WGS was performed by the broth microdilution method. RESULTS More than 3000 L. pneumophila strains were screened for antibiotic resistance. A macrolide resistance-associated A2052G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene was identified in the genome of eight isolates from a hotel water network. High-level macrolide resistance (i.e. MICs of 1024-2048 mg/L for azithromycin and erythromycin) with no cross-resistance to other antimicrobials was phenotypically confirmed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing for the eight isolates. CONCLUSIONS Systematic WGS of L. pneumophila is a powerful tool for first-line high-throughput screening of antibiotic resistance before phenotypic validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Ginevra
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Team Legionella Pathogenesis, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Plateforme GenEPII, Lyon, France
| | - Laetitia Beraud
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - Houcine Bentayeb
- Centre Hospitalier Saint-Quentin, Service de Pneumologie, Saint-Quentin, France
| | - Bruno Simon
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Plateforme GenEPII, Lyon, France
| | - Camille Allam
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Team Legionella Pathogenesis, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Joelle Chastang
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France
| | - Marine Ibranosyan
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Team Legionella Pathogenesis, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
| | - Véronique Decroix
- Centre Hospitalier Saint-Quentin, Laboratoire de Biologie Médicale, Saint-Quentin, France
| | - Christine Campese
- Santé Publique France, Unité des infections respiratoires et vaccinations, Saint-Maurice, France
| | - Sophie Jarraud
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Team Legionella Pathogenesis, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France.,Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Plateforme GenEPII, Lyon, France
| | - Ghislaine Descours
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Hospitalier Nord, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre National de Référence des Légionelles, Lyon, France.,Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (CIRI), Team Legionella Pathogenesis, Univ Lyon, Inserm, U1111, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, UMR5308, ENS de Lyon, F-69007, Lyon, France
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Dey R, Mount H, Ensminger AW, Tyrrell GJ, Ward LP, Ashbolt NJ. Isolation of Legionella pneumophila by Co-culture with Local Ameba, Canada. Emerg Infect Dis 2019; 25:2104-2107. [PMID: 31625866 PMCID: PMC6810206 DOI: 10.3201/eid2511.190522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Legionellosis was diagnosed in an immunocompromised 3-year-old girl in Canada. We traced the source of the bacterium through co-culture with an ameba collected from a hot tub in her home. We identified Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6, sequence type 185, and used whole-genome sequencing to confirm the environmental and clinical isolates were of common origin.
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Adaptation of Amoeba Plate Test To Recover Legionella Strains from Clinical Samples. J Clin Microbiol 2018; 56:JCM.01361-17. [PMID: 29467193 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01361-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The isolation of Legionella from respiratory samples is the gold standard for diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease (LD) and enables epidemiological studies and outbreak investigations. The purpose of this work was to adapt and to evaluate the performance of an amoebic coculture procedure (the amoeba plate test [APT]) for the recovery of Legionella strains from respiratory samples, in comparison with axenic culture and liquid-based amoebic coculture (LAC). Axenic culture, LAC, and APT were prospectively performed with 133 respiratory samples from patients with LD. The sensitivities and times to results for the three techniques were compared. Using the three techniques, Legionella strains were isolated in 46.6% (n = 62) of the 133 respiratory samples. The sensitivity of axenic culture was 42.9% (n = 57), that of LAC was 30.1% (n = 40), and that of APT was 36.1% (n = 48). Seven samples were positive by axenic culture only; for those samples, there were <10 colonies in total. Five samples, all sputum samples, were positive by an amoebic procedure only (5/5 samples by APT and 2/5 samples by LAC); all had overgrowth by oropharyngeal flora with axenic culture. The combination of axenic culture with APT yielded a maximal isolation rate (i.e., 46.6%). Overall, the APT significantly reduced the median time for Legionella identification to 4 days, compared with 7 days for LAC (P < 0.0001). The results of this study support the substitution of LAC by APT, which could be implemented as a second-line technique for culture-negative samples and samples with microbial overgrowth, especially sputum samples. The findings provide a logical basis for further studies in both clinical and environmental settings.
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Multiple major disease-associated clones of Legionella pneumophila have emerged recently and independently. Genome Res 2016; 26:1555-1564. [PMID: 27662900 PMCID: PMC5088597 DOI: 10.1101/gr.209536.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Legionella pneumophila is an environmental bacterium and the leading cause of Legionnaires' disease. Just five sequence types (ST), from more than 2000 currently described, cause nearly half of disease cases in northwest Europe. Here, we report the sequence and analyses of 364 L. pneumophila genomes, including 337 from the five disease-associated STs and 27 representative of the species diversity. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the five STs have independent origins within a highly diverse species. The number of de novo mutations is extremely low with maximum pairwise single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ranging from 19 (ST47) to 127 (ST1), which suggests emergences within the last century. Isolates sampled geographically far apart differ by only a few SNPs, demonstrating rapid dissemination. These five STs have been recombining recently, leading to a shared pool of allelic variants potentially contributing to their increased disease propensity. The oldest clone, ST1, has spread globally; between 1940 and 2000, four new clones have emerged in Europe, which show long-distance, rapid dispersal. That a large proportion of clinical cases is caused by recently emerged and internationally dispersed clones, linked by convergent evolution, is surprising for an environmental bacterium traditionally considered to be an opportunistic pathogen. To simultaneously explain recent emergence, rapid spread and increased disease association, we hypothesize that these STs have adapted to new man-made environmental niches, which may be linked by human infection and transmission.
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Bou Khalil JY, Benamar S, Baudoin JP, Croce O, Blanc-Tailleur C, Pagnier I, Raoult D, La Scola B. Developmental Cycle and Genome Analysis of "Rubidus massiliensis," a New Vermamoeba vermiformis Pathogen. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2016; 6:31. [PMID: 27014641 PMCID: PMC4791399 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of amoeba-associated Chlamydiae is a dynamic field in which new species are increasingly reported. In the present work, we characterized the developmental cycle and analyzed the genome of a new member of this group associated with Vermamoeba vermiformis, we propose to name “Rubidus massiliensis.” This bacterium is well-adapted to its amoeba host and do not reside inside of inclusion vacuoles after phagocytosis. It has a developmental cycle typical of this family of bacteria, with a transition from condensed elementary bodies to hypodense replicative reticulate bodies. Multiplication occurs through binary fission of the reticulate bodies. The genome of “R. massiliensis” consists of a 2.8 Mbp chromosome and two plasmids (pRm1, pRm2) consisting of 39,075 bp and 80,897 bp, respectively, a feature that is unique within this group. The Re-analysis of the Chlamydiales genomes including the one of “R. massiliensis” slightly modified the previous phylogeny of the tlc gene encoding the ADP/ATP translocase. Our analysis suggested that the tlc gene could have been transferred to plant and algal plastids before the transfer to Rickettsiales, and that this gene was probably duplicated several times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Y Bou Khalil
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Samia Benamar
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Baudoin
- Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Croce
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Caroline Blanc-Tailleur
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Pagnier
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille Université Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France; Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de MarseilleMarseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, UM63 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 7278 IRD 198 Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1095, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseille, France; Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée Infection, Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de MarseilleMarseille, France
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Edagawa A, Kimura A, Kawabuchi-Kurata T, Adachi S, Furuhata K, Miyamoto H. Investigation of Legionella Contamination in Bath Water Samples by Culture, Amoebic Co-Culture, and Real-Time Quantitative PCR Methods. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:13118-30. [PMID: 26492259 PMCID: PMC4627020 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121013118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Revised: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We investigated Legionella contamination in bath water samples, collected from 68 bathing facilities in Japan, by culture, culture with amoebic co-culture, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), and real-time qPCR with amoebic co-culture. Using the conventional culture method, Legionella pneumophila was detected in 11 samples (11/68, 16.2%). Contrary to our expectation, the culture method with the amoebic co-culture technique did not increase the detection rate of Legionella (4/68, 5.9%). In contrast, a combination of the amoebic co-culture technique followed by qPCR successfully increased the detection rate (57/68, 83.8%) compared with real-time qPCR alone (46/68, 67.6%). Using real-time qPCR after culture with amoebic co-culture, more than 10-fold higher bacterial numbers were observed in 30 samples (30/68, 44.1%) compared with the same samples without co-culture. On the other hand, higher bacterial numbers were not observed after propagation by amoebae in 32 samples (32/68, 47.1%). Legionella was not detected in the remaining six samples (6/68, 8.8%), irrespective of the method. These results suggest that application of the amoebic co-culture technique prior to real-time qPCR may be useful for the sensitive detection of Legionella from bath water samples. Furthermore, a combination of amoebic co-culture and real-time qPCR might be useful to detect viable and virulent Legionella because their ability to invade and multiply within free-living amoebae is considered to correlate with their pathogenicity for humans. This is the first report evaluating the efficacy of the amoebic co-culture technique for detecting Legionella in bath water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akiko Edagawa
- Division of Environment Health, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Osaka 537-0025, Japan.
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
| | - Akio Kimura
- Division of Planning and Coordination, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Osaka 537-0025, Japan.
| | | | - Shinichi Adachi
- Division of Environment Health, Osaka Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Osaka 537-0025, Japan.
| | - Katsunori Furuhata
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Azabu University, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Miyamoto
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga 849-8501, Japan.
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La Scola B. Looking at protists as a source of pathogenic viruses. Microb Pathog 2014; 77:131-5. [PMID: 25218687 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2014.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
In the environment, protozoa are predators of bacteria and feed on them. The possibility that some protozoa could be a source of human pathogens is consistent with the discovery that free-living amoebae were the reservoir of Legionella pneumophila, the agent of Legionnaires' disease. Later, while searching for Legionella in the environment using amoeba co-culture, the first giant virus, Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus, was discovered. Since then, many other giant viruses have been isolated, including Marseilleviridae, Pithovirus sibericum, Cafeteria roenbergensis virus and Pandoravirus spp. The methods used to isolate all of these viruses are herein reviewed. By analogy to Legionella, it was originally suspected that these viruses could be human pathogens. After showing by indirect evidence, such as sero-epidemiologic studies, that it was possible for these viruses to be human pathogens, the recent isolation of some of these viruses (belonging to the Mimiviridae and Marseilleviridae families) in humans in the context of pathologic conditions shows that they are opportunistic human pathogens in some instances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernard La Scola
- Aix-Marseille University, Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198, INSERM U1095, Facultés de Médecine et de Pharmacie, Marseille, France; Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, Pôle des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Clinique et Biologique, Fédération de Bactériologie-Hygiène-Virologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique, Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France.
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Jacquier N, Aeby S, Lienard J, Greub G. Discovery of new intracellular pathogens by amoebal coculture and amoebal enrichment approaches. J Vis Exp 2013:e51055. [PMID: 24192667 DOI: 10.3791/51055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular pathogens such as legionella, mycobacteria and Chlamydia-like organisms are difficult to isolate because they often grow poorly or not at all on selective media that are usually used to cultivate bacteria. For this reason, many of these pathogens were discovered only recently or following important outbreaks. These pathogens are often associated with amoebae, which serve as host-cell and allow the survival and growth of the bacteria. We intend here to provide a demonstration of two techniques that allow isolation and characterization of intracellular pathogens present in clinical or environmental samples: the amoebal coculture and the amoebal enrichment. Amoebal coculture allows recovery of intracellular bacteria by inoculating the investigated sample onto an amoebal lawn that can be infected and lysed by the intracellular bacteria present in the sample. Amoebal enrichment allows recovery of amoebae present in a clinical or environmental sample. This can lead to discovery of new amoebal species but also of new intracellular bacteria growing specifically in these amoebae. Together, these two techniques help to discover new intracellular bacteria able to grow in amoebae. Because of their ability to infect amoebae and resist phagocytosis, these intracellular bacteria might also escape phagocytosis by macrophages and thus, be pathogenic for higher eukaryotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Jacquier
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Center and University of Lausanne
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Fournier PE, Drancourt M, Colson P, Rolain JM, Scola BL, Raoult D. Modern clinical microbiology: new challenges and solutions. Nat Rev Microbiol 2013; 11:574-85. [PMID: 24020074 PMCID: PMC7097238 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro3068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In the twenty-first century, the clinical microbiology laboratory plays a central part in optimizing the management of infectious diseases and surveying local and global epidemiology. This pivotal role is made possible by the adoption of rational sampling, point-of-care tests, extended automation and new technologies, including mass spectrometry for colony identification, real-time genomics for isolate characterization, and versatile and permissive culture systems. When balanced with cost, these developments can improve the workflow and output of clinical microbiology laboratories and, by identifying and characterizing microbial pathogens, provide significant input to scientific discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
| | - Michel Drancourt
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
| | - Philippe Colson
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
| | - Jean-Marc Rolain
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UM63, CNRS7278, IRD198, INSERMU1095, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire Méditerranée-Infection, Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385 France
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11
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Conza L, Casati S, Gaia V. Detection limits of Legionella pneumophila in environmental samples after co-culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:49. [PMID: 23442526 PMCID: PMC3598970 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The efficiency of recovery and the detection limit of Legionella after co-culture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga are not known and so far no investigations have been carried out to determine the efficiency of the recovery of Legionella spp. by co-culture and compare it with that of conventional culturing methods. This study aimed to assess the detection limits of co-culture compared to culture for Legionella pneumophila in compost and air samples. Compost and air samples were spiked with known concentrations of L. pneumophila. Direct culturing and co-culture with amoebae were used in parallel to isolate L. pneumophila and recovery standard curves for both methods were produced for each sample. Results The co-culture proved to be more sensitive than the reference method, detecting 102-103 L. pneumophila cells in 1 g of spiked compost or 1 m3 of spiked air, as compared to 105-106 cells in 1 g of spiked compost and 1 m3 of spiked air. Conclusions Co-culture with amoebae is a useful, sensitive and reliable technique to enrich L. pneumophila in environmental samples that contain only low amounts of bacterial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Conza
- Swiss National Reference Centre for Legionella, Cantonal Institute of Microbiology, Via Mirasole 22a, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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Abstract
Acanthamoeba spp., Balamuthia mandrillaris, and Naegleria fowleri are mitochondria-bearing, free-living eukaryotic amebae that have been known to cause infections of the central nervous system (CNS) of humans and other animals. Several species of Acanthamoeba belonging to several different genotypes cause an insidious and chronic disease, granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE), principally in immunocompromised hosts including persons infected with HIV/AIDS. Acanthamoeba spp., belonging to mostly group 2, also cause infection of the human cornea, Acanthamoeba keratitis. Balamuthia mandrillaris causes GAE in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts mostly in the very young or very old individuals. Both Acanthamoeba spp. and B. mandrillaris also cause a disseminated disease including the lungs, skin, kidneys, and uterus. Naegleria fowleri, on the other hand, causes an acute and fulminating, necrotizing infection of the CNS called primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in children and young adults with a history of recent exposure to warm fresh water. Additionally, another free-living ameba Sappinia pedata, previously described as S. diploidea, also has caused a single case of amebic meningoencephalitis. In this review the biology of these amebae, clinical manifestations, molecular and immunological diagnosis, and epidemiological features associated with GAE and PAM are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Govinda S Visvesvara
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne & Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- G Greub
- Institute of Microbiology, University Hospital Centre and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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14
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Guyard C, Low DE. Legionella infections and travel associated legionellosis. Travel Med Infect Dis 2011; 9:176-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2010.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Accepted: 05/17/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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Thomas V, McDonnell G, Denyer SP, Maillard JY. Free-living amoebae and their intracellular pathogenic microorganisms: risks for water quality. FEMS Microbiol Rev 2010; 34:231-59. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6976.2009.00190.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 208] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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17
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Corsaro D, Pages GS, Catalan V, Loret JF, Greub G. Biodiversity of amoebae and amoeba-associated bacteria in water treatment plants. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2010; 213:158-66. [PMID: 20403728 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2009] [Revised: 02/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we enlarged our previous investigation focusing on the biodiversity of chlamydiae and amoebae in a drinking water treatment plant, by the inclusion of two additional plants and by searching also for the presence of legionellae and mycobacteria. Autochthonous amoebae were recovered onto non-nutritive agar, identified by 18S rRNA gene sequencing, and screened for the presence of bacterial endosymbionts. Bacteria were also searched for by Acanthamoeba co-culture. From a total of 125 samples, we recovered 38 amoebae, among which six harboured endosymbionts (three chlamydiae and three legionellae). In addition, we recovered by amoebal co-culture 11 chlamydiae, 36 legionellae (no L. pneumophila), and 24 mycobacteria (all rapid-growers). Two plants presented a similar percentage of samples positive for chlamydiae (11%), mycobacteria (20%) and amoebae (27%), whereas in the third plant the number of recovered bacteria was almost twice higher. Each plant exhibited a relatively high specific microbiota. Amoebae were mainly represented by various Naegleria species, Acanthamoeba species and Hartmannella vermiformis. Parachlamydiaceae were the most abundant chlamydiae (8 strains in total), and in this study we recovered a new genus-level strain, along with new chlamydiae previously reported. Similarly, about 66% of the recovered legionellae and 47% of the isolated mycobacteria could represent new species. Our work highlighted a high species diversity among legionellae and mycobacteria, dominated by putative new species, and it confirmed the presence of chlamydiae in these artificial water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Corsaro
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medecine, University of Lausanne, Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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García MT, Jones S, Pelaz C, Millar RD, Abu Kwaik Y. Acanthamoeba polyphaga resuscitates viable non-culturable Legionella pneumophila after disinfection. Environ Microbiol 2007; 9:1267-77. [PMID: 17472639 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2007.01245.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Amoebae are the natural hosts for Legionella pneumophila and play essential roles in bacterial ecology and infectivity to humans. When L. pneumophila colonizes an aquatic installation, it can persist for years despite repeated treatments with disinfectants. We hypothesized that freshwater amoebae play an important role in bacterial resistance to disinfectants, and in subsequent resuscitation of viable non-culturable (VNC) L. pneumophila that results in re-emergence of the disease-causing strain in the disinfected water source. Our work showed that in the absence of Acanthamoeba polyphaga, seven L. pneumophila strains became non-culturable after treatment by 256 p.p.m. of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). In contrast, intracellular L. pneumophila within A. polyphaga was resistant to 1024 p.p.m. of NaOCl. In addition, L. pneumophila-infected A. polyphaga exhibited increased resistance to NaOCl. When chlorine-sterilized water samples were co-cultured with A. polyphaga, the non-culturable L. pneumophila were resuscitated and proliferated robustly within A. polyphaga. Upon treatment by NaOCl, uninfected amoebae differentiated into cysts within 48 h. In contrast, L. pneumophila-infected A. polyphaga failed to differentiate into cysts, and L. pneumophila was never detected in cysts of A. polyphaga. We conclude that amoebic trophozoites protect intracellular L. pneumophila from eradication by NaOCl, and play an essential role in resuscitation of VNC L. pneumophila in NaOCl-disinfected water sources. Intracellular L. pneumophila within trophozoites of A. polyphaga block encystation of the amoebae, and the resistance of both organisms to NaOCl is enhanced. To ensure long-term eradication and complete loss of the VNC state of L. pneumophila, we recommend that Legionella-protozoa co-culture should be an important tool to ensure complete loss of the VNC state of L. pneumophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa García
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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Thomas V, Casson N, Greub G. Criblamydia sequanensis, a new intracellular Chlamydiales isolated from Seine river water using amoebal co-culture. Environ Microbiol 2006; 8:2125-35. [PMID: 17107554 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2006.01094.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence supports a role for Chlamydia-related organisms as emerging pathogens for human and animals. Assessment of their pathogenicity requires strain availability, at least for animal models and serological studies. As these obligate intracellular species are able to grow inside amoebae, we used co-culture with Acanthamoeba castellanii in an attempt to recover new Chlamydia-related species from river water. We isolated two strains from eight water samples. The first strain is a new Parachlamydia acanthamoebae strain that differs from previously described isolates by only two bases in the complete 16S rRNA gene sequence. The second isolate is the first representative of a new Chlamydiales family, as demonstrated by genetic and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA, 23S rRNA, ADP/ATP translocase and RnpB encoding genes. Using fluorescent in situ hybridization and electron microscopy, we demonstrated that it grows in high numbers in amoebae, where it exhibits a Chlamydia-like developmental cycle with reticulate bodies and star-like elementary bodies. Based on these results, we propose to name this new species 'Criblamydia sequanensis'. This work confirmed that amoebal co-culture is a relevant method to isolate new chlamydiae, and that it can be successfully applied to ecosystems colonized with a complex microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Thomas
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria (CRIB), Institute of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Thomas V, Herrera-Rimann K, Blanc DS, Greub G. Biodiversity of amoebae and amoeba-resisting bacteria in a hospital water network. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006; 72:2428-38. [PMID: 16597941 PMCID: PMC1449017 DOI: 10.1128/aem.72.4.2428-2438.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Free-living amoebae (FLA) are ubiquitous organisms that have been isolated from various domestic water systems, such as cooling towers and hospital water networks. In addition to their own pathogenicity, FLA can also act as Trojan horses and be naturally infected with amoeba-resisting bacteria (ARB) that may be involved in human infections, such as pneumonia. We investigated the biodiversity of bacteria and their amoebal hosts in a hospital water network. Using amoebal enrichment on nonnutrient agar, we isolated 15 protist strains from 200 (7.5%) samples. One thermotolerant Hartmannella vermiformis isolate harbored both Legionella pneumophila and Bradyrhizobium japonicum. By using amoebal coculture with axenic Acanthamoeba castellanii as the cellular background, we recovered at least one ARB from 45.5% of the samples. Four new ARB isolates were recovered by culture, and one of these isolates was widely present in the water network. Alphaproteobacteria (such as Rhodoplanes, Methylobacterium, Bradyrhizobium, Afipia, and Bosea) were recovered from 30.5% of the samples, mycobacteria (Mycobacterium gordonae, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium xenopi) were recovered from 20.5% of the samples, and Gammaproteobacteria (Legionella) were recovered from 5.5% of the samples. No Chlamydia or Chlamydia-like organisms were recovered by amoebal coculture or detected by PCR. The observed strong association between the presence of amoebae and the presence of Legionella (P < 0.001) and mycobacteria (P = 0.009) further suggests that FLA are a reservoir for these ARB and underlines the importance of considering amoebae when water control measures are designed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Thomas
- Center for Research on Intracellular Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, CHUV Hospital, Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Abstract
Free-living amoebae feed on bacteria, fungi, and algae. However, some microorganisms have evolved to become resistant to these protists. These amoeba-resistant microorganisms include established pathogens, such as Cryptococcus neoformans, Legionella spp., Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycobacterium avium, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Francisella tularensis, and emerging pathogens, such as Bosea spp., Simkania negevensis, Parachlamydia acanthamoebae, and Legionella-like amoebal pathogens. Some of these amoeba-resistant bacteria (ARB) are lytic for their amoebal host, while others are considered endosymbionts, since a stable host-parasite ratio is maintained. Free-living amoebae represent an important reservoir of ARB and may, while encysted, protect the internalized bacteria from chlorine and other biocides. Free-living amoebae may act as a Trojan horse, bringing hidden ARB within the human "Troy," and may produce vesicles filled with ARB, increasing their transmission potential. Free-living amoebae may also play a role in the selection of virulence traits and in adaptation to survival in macrophages. Thus, intra-amoebal growth was found to enhance virulence, and similar mechanisms seem to be implicated in the survival of ARB in response to both amoebae and macrophages. Moreover, free-living amoebae represent a useful tool for the culture of some intracellular bacteria and new bacterial species that might be potential emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Greub
- Unité des Rickettsies, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
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Greub G, La Scola B, Raoult D. Amoebae-resisting bacteria isolated from human nasal swabs by amoebal coculture. Emerg Infect Dis 2004; 10:470-7. [PMID: 15109415 DOI: 10.3201/eid1003.020792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amoebae feed on bacteria, and few bacteria can resist their microbicidal ability. Amoebal coculture could therefore be used to selectively grow these amoebae-resisting bacteria (ARB), which may be human pathogens. To isolate new ARB, we performed amoebal coculture from 444 nasal samples. We recovered 7 (1.6%) ARB from 444 nasal swabs, including 4 new species provisionally named Candidatus Roseomonas massiliae, C. Rhizobium massiliae, C. Chryseobacterium massiliae, and C. Amoebinatus massiliae. The remaining isolates were closely related to Methylobacterium extorquens, Bosea vestrii, and Achromobacter xylosoxidans. Thus, amoebal coculture allows the recovery of new bacterial species from heavily contaminated samples and might be a valuable approach for the recovery of as-yet unrecognized emerging pathogens from clinical specimens.
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Fields BS, Benson RF, Besser RE. Legionella and Legionnaires' disease: 25 years of investigation. Clin Microbiol Rev 2002; 15:506-26. [PMID: 12097254 PMCID: PMC118082 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.15.3.506-526.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1089] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There is still a low level of clinical awareness regarding Legionnaires' disease 25 years after it was first detected. The causative agents, legionellae, are freshwater bacteria with a fascinating ecology. These bacteria are intracellular pathogens of freshwater protozoa and utilize a similar mechanism to infect human phagocytic cells. There have been major advances in delineating the pathogenesis of legionellae through the identification of genes which allow the organism to bypass the endocytic pathways of both protozoan and human cells. Other bacteria that may share this novel infectious process are Coxiella burnetti and Brucella spp. More than 40 species and numerous serogroups of legionellae have been identified. Most diagnostic tests are directed at the species that causes most of the reported human cases of legionellosis, L. pneumophila serogroup 1. For this reason, information on the incidence of human respiratory disease attributable to other species and serogroups of legionellae is lacking. Improvements in diagnostic tests such as the urine antigen assay have inadvertently caused a decrease in the use of culture to detect infection, resulting in incomplete surveillance for legionellosis. Large, focal outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease continue to occur worldwide, and there is a critical need for surveillance for travel-related legionellosis in the United States. There is optimism that newly developed guidelines and water treatment practices can greatly reduce the incidence of this preventable illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry S Fields
- Respiratory Diseases Branch, Division of Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, National Center for Infectious Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
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La Scola B, Mezi L, Weiller PJ, Raoult D. Isolation of Legionella anisa using an amoebic coculture procedure. J Clin Microbiol 2001; 39:365-6. [PMID: 11136802 PMCID: PMC87733 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.39.1.365-366.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional diagnostic tests for legionellosis were negative for a 61-year-old immunocompromised man with pneumonia. However, coculture of a sputum sample with Acanthamoeba polyphaga amoebae led to the recovery of Legionella anisa. This procedure may be a sensitive and convenient diagnostic method, especially for non-Legionella pneumophila species infections that can be diagnosed only by culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- B La Scola
- Unité des Rickettsies, CNRS UPRESA 6020, Faculté de Médecine, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
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McWhinney PH, Ragunathan PL, Rowbottham TJ. Failure to produce detectable antibodies to Legionella pneumophila by an immunocompetent adult. J Infect 2000; 41:91-2. [PMID: 11041710 DOI: 10.1053/jinf.2000.0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A case of legionella pneumonia diagnosed by co-culture with amoebae and urinary antigen detection is described. Diagnostic antibody tests remained negative despite prolonged follow-up. Investigation showed no evidence of an under-lying immunodeficiency. The value of culture-based diagnosis and consequences of missed diagnoses are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P H McWhinney
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Seacroft Hospital, Leeds, UK
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