Comparison of virulence of Legionella longbeachae strains in guinea pigs and U937 macrophage-like cells

A guinea pig model of experimental legionellosis was established for assessment of virulence of isolates of Legionella longbeachae. The results showed that there were distinct virulence groupings of L. longbeachae serogroup 1 strains based on the severity of disease produced in this model. Statistic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Infection and immunity 2001-09, Vol.69 (9), p.5335-5344
Main Authors: DOYLE, Robyn M, CIANCIOTTO, Nicholas P, BANVI, Shaila, MANNING, Paul A, HEUZENROEDER, Michael W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bacterial Infections
Bacteriology
Biological and medical sciences
Disease Models, Animal
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics
Guinea Pigs
Humans
Legionella - classification
Legionella - pathogenicity
Legionella longbeachae
Legionellosis - microbiology
Legionellosis - pathology
Lung - microbiology
Lung - ultrastructure
Macrophages - microbiology
Microbiology
Microscopy, Electron
Pathogenicity, virulence, toxins, bacteriocins, pyrogens, host-bacteria relations, miscellaneous strains
Phagosomes - microbiology
Phagosomes - ultrastructure
U937 Cells
Virulence
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Summary:A guinea pig model of experimental legionellosis was established for assessment of virulence of isolates of Legionella longbeachae. The results showed that there were distinct virulence groupings of L. longbeachae serogroup 1 strains based on the severity of disease produced in this model. Statistical analysis of the animal model data suggests that Australian isolates of L. longbeachae may be inherently more virulent than non-Australian strains. Infection studies performed with U937 cells were consistent with the animal model studies and showed that isolates of this species were capable of multiplying within these phagocytic cells. Electron microscopy studies of infected lung tissue were also undertaken to determine the intracellular nature of L. longbeachae serogroup 1 infection. The data showed that phagosomes containing virulent L. longbeachae serogroup 1 appeared bloated, contained cellular debris and had an apparent rim of ribosomes while those containing avirulent L. longbeachae serogroup 1 were compact, clear and smooth.
ISSN:0019-9567
1098-5522
DOI:10.1128/IAI.69.9.5335-5344.2001