Legionella pneumophila: an aquatic microbe goes astray

Distribution patterns and influential factors of pathogenic bacteria in freshwater aquaculture sediments

Pathogenic bacteria, the major causative agents of aquaculture diseases, are a serious impediment to the aquaculture industry. However, the bioinformatics of pathogenic bacteria and virulence factors (VFs) in sediments, an important component of freshwater aquaculture ecosystems, are not well characterized. In this study, 20 sediment samples were collected from fish pond sediments (FPS), shrimp field sediments (SFS), fish pond sediment control (FPSC), and shrimp field sediment control (SFSC). Molecular biological information was obtained on a total of 173 pathogenic bacteria, 1093 virulence factors (VFs), and 8475 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) from these samples. The results indicated that (1) aquaculture patterns and sediment characteristics can affect the distribution of pathogenic bacteria. According to the results of the Kruskal-Wallis H test, except for Mycobacterium gilvum, there were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the four sediment types in the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria (top 30 in abundance), and the average abundance of major pathogenic bacteria in the four sediment types followed the following pattern: FPS > SFS > FPSC > SFSC. (2) Pathogenic bacteria are able to implement a variety of complex pathogenic mechanisms such as adhesion, invasion, immune evasion, and metabolic regulation in the host because they carry a variety of VFs such as type IV pili, HSI-I, Alginate, Colibactin, and Capsule. According to the primary classification of the Virulence Factor Database (VFDB), the abundance of VFs in all four types of sediments showed the following pattern: offensive VFs > non-specific VFs > defensive VFs > regulation of virulence-related genes. (3) Total organic carbon (TOC), total phosphorus (TP), available phosphorus (AP), nitrite, and nitrate were mostly only weakly positively correlated with the major pathogenic bacteria and could promote the growth of pathogenic bacteria to some extent, whereas ammonia was significantly positively correlated with most of the major pathogenic bacteria and could play an important role in promoting the growth and reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. (4) Meanwhile, there was also a significant positive correlation between CAZyme genes and major pathogenic bacteria (0.62 ≤ R ≤ 0.89, P < 0.05). This suggests that these pathogenic bacteria could be the main carriers of CAZyme genes and, to some extent, gained a higher level of metabolic activity by degrading organic matter in the sediments to maintain their competitive advantage. (5) Worryingly, the results of correlation analyses indicated that MGEs in aquaculture sediments could play an important role in the spread of VFs (R = 0.82, P < 0.01), and in particular, plasmids (R = 0.75, P < 0.01) and integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs, R = 0.65, P < 0.05) could be these major vectors of VFs. The results of this study contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the health of freshwater aquaculture sediments and provide a scientific basis for aquaculture management and conservation.

Effects of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on the intestine, intestinal community composition, and metabolic levels in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus)

Despite growing interest in conventional microplastics (CMPs) and their toxicological effects on aquatic species, little is known about biodegradable microplastics (BMPs) and their corresponding implications for aquatic life. Here, tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) were semi-statically exposed for 14 days to the bio-based plastic polylactic acid (PLA, 100 μg/L, 2.52 ± 0.46 μm) and the petroleum-based plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 100 μg/L, 1.58 ± 0.36 μm). The results showed that ingesting the above two types of microplastics (MPs) led to oxidative stress in the fish gut, and damage to gut tissues and organelles, and PLA resulted in more obvious gut tissue edema than PVC. Furthermore, PLA caused increased levels of gut microbiota dysbiosis and a decrease in the abundance of the genus Cetobacterium, which is linked to vitamin B-12 synthesis, whereas an opposite relationship was observed on PVC. Metabolomic analysis indicated that PVC caused a significant down-regulation of orotic acid, co-metabolite of folic acid with vitamin B-12, while PLA did not affect orotic acid, which may lead to the accumulation of folic acid in fish. The joint analysis found that MPs disturbed gut metabolism homeostasis, implying that abnormal gut microbiota metabolites may be a key mechanism for MPs to induce tissue damage and oxidative stress in the gut. Overall, this study systematically illustrates the differential toxic effects of BMPs and CMPs on tilapia through gut microbiota and metabolite interactions, which will contribute to assessing the risks of BMPs to organismal health.

Protozoan-Priming and Magnesium Conditioning Enhance Legionella pneumophila Dissemination and Monochloramine Resistance

Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) are of concern in drinking water distribution systems because they persist despite disinfectant residuals. While many OPs garner protection from disinfectants via a biofilm lifestyle, Legionella pneumophila (Lp) also gains disinfection resistance by being harbored within free-living amoebae (FLA). It has been long established, but poorly understood, that Lp grown within FLA show increased infectivity toward subsequent FLA or human cells (i.e., macrophage), via a process we previously coined "protozoan-priming". The objectives of this study are (i) to identify in Lp a key genetic determinant of how protozoan-priming increases its infectivity, (ii) to determine the chemical stimulus within FLA to which Lp responds during protozoan-priming, and (iii) to determine if more infectious forms of Lp also exhibit enhanced disinfectant resistance. Using Acanthamoeba castellanii as a FLA host, the priming effect was isolated to Lp's sidGV locus, which is activated upon sensing elevated magnesium concentrations. Supplementing growth medium with 8 mM magnesium is sufficient to produce Lp grown in vitro with an infectivity equivalent to that of Lp grown via the protozoan-primed route. Both Lp forms with increased infectivity (FLA-grown and Mg2+-supplemented) exhibit greater monochloramine resistance than Lp grown in standard media, indicating that passage through FLA not only increases Lp's infectivity but also enhances its monochloramine resistance. Therefore, laboratory-based testing of disinfection strategies should employ conditions that simulate or replicate intracellular growth to accurately assess disinfectant resistance.

Legionella detection in wastewater treatment plants with increased risk for Legionella growth and emission

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a severe pneumonia mainly caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. Although many environmental sources of LD have been described, the sources of the majority of non-outbreak LD cases have not been identified. In several outbreaks in the Netherlands, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were identified as the most likely source of infection. In this study, four criteria for Legionella growth and emission to air and surface waters were selected based on the literature and a risk matrix was drafted. An inventory was made of all WWTPs and their characteristics in the Netherlands. The risk matrix was applied to identify WWTPs at risk for Legionella growth and emission. Wastewater was collected at WWTPs with moderate to high risk for Legionella growth and emission. In 18% of the sampled WWTPs, Legionella spp. was detected using culture methods. The presented risk matrix can be used to assess the risks of Legionella growth and emission for WWTPs and support surveillance by prioritizing WWTPs. When Legionella is detected in the wastewater, it is recommended to take action to prevent emission to air or discharge on surface waters and, if possible, reduce the Legionella concentration.

Legionella pneumophila Cas2 Promotes the Expression of Small Heat Shock Protein C2 That Is Required for Thermal Tolerance and Optimal Intracellular Infection

Previously, we demonstrated that Cas2 encoded within the CRISPR-Cas locus of Legionella pneumophila strain 130b promotes the ability of the Legionella pathogen to infect amoebal hosts. Given that L. pneumophila Cas2 has RNase activity, we posited that the cytoplasmic protein is regulating the expression of another Legionella gene(s) that fosters intracellular infection. Proteomics revealed 10 proteins at diminished levels in the cas2 mutant, and reverse transcription-quantitative (qRT-PCR) confirmed the reduced expression of a gene encoding putative small heat shock protein C2 (HspC2), among several others. As predicted, the gene was expressed more highly at 37°C to 50°C than that at 30°C, and an hspC2 mutant, but not its complemented derivative, displayed ~100-fold reduced CFU following heat shock at 55°C. Compatible with the effect of Cas2 on hspC2 expression, strains lacking Cas2 also had impaired thermal tolerance. The hspC2 mutant, like the cas2 mutant before it, was greatly impaired for infection of Acanthamoeba castellanii, a frequent host for legionellae in waters. HspC2 and Cas2 were not required for entry into these host cells but promoted the replicative phase of intracellular infection. Finally, the hspC2 mutant exhibited an additional defect during the infection of macrophages, which are the primary host for legionellae during lung infection. In summary, hspC2 is upregulated by the presence of Cas2, and HspC2 uniquely promotes both L. pneumophila extracellular survival at high temperatures and infection of amoebal and human host cells. To our knowledge, these findings also represent the first genetic proof linking Cas2 to thermotolerance, expanding the repertoire of noncanonical functions associated with CRISPR-Cas proteins.

Proteome Exploration of Legionella pneumophila To Identify Novel Therapeutics: a Hierarchical Subtractive Genomics and Reverse Vaccinology Approach

Legionella pneumophila is a human pathogen distributed worldwide, causing Legionnaires’ disease (LD), a severe form of pneumonia and respiratory tract infection. L. pneumophila is emerging as an antibiotic-resistant strain, and controlling LD is now difficult. Hence, developing novel drugs and vaccines against L. pneumophila is a major research priority.

Zinc Metalloprotease ProA from Legionella pneumophila Inhibits the Pro-Inflammatory Host Response by Degradation of Bacterial Flagellin

The environmental bacterium Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular pathogen of various protozoan hosts and able to cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe pneumonia in humans. By encoding a wide selection of virulence factors, the infectious agent possesses several strategies to manipulate its host cells and evade immune detection. In the present study, we demonstrate that the L. pneumophila zinc metalloprotease ProA functions as a modulator of flagellin-mediated TLR5 stimulation and subsequent activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway. We found ProA to be capable of directly degrading immunogenic FlaA monomers but not the polymeric form of bacterial flagella. These results indicate a role of the protease in antagonizing immune stimulation, which was further substantiated in HEK-Blue^TM hTLR5 Detection assays. Addition of purified proteins, bacterial suspensions of L. pneumophila mutant strains as well as supernatants of human lung tissue explant infection to this reporter cell line demonstrated that ProA specifically decreases the TLR5 response via FlaA degradation. Conclusively, the zinc metalloprotease ProA serves as a powerful regulator of exogenous flagellin and presumably creates an important advantage for L. pneumophila proliferation in mammalian hosts by promoting immune evasion.

Association of Natural Waterways and Legionella pneumophila Infection in Eastern Wisconsin: A Case-Control Study

Preliminary research has suggested possible associations between natural waterways and Legionella infection, and we previously explored these associations in eastern Wisconsin using positive L. pneumophila serogroup 1 urine antigen tests (LUAT) as diagnostic. This case-control study was a secondary analysis of home address data from patients who underwent LUAT at a single eastern Wisconsin health system from 2013 to 2017. Only zip codes within the health system's catchment area that registered ≥3 positive cases and ≥50 completed tests, as well as geographically adjacent zip codes with ≥2 positive cases and ≥50 tests, were included. A 1:3 ratio of cases to randomly selected controls was used. Home addresses were geocoded and mapped using ArcGIS software (Esri); nearest waterway and distance to home was identified. Distance to nearest waterway according to ArcGIS was verified/corrected using Google Maps incognito. Distances were analyzed using chi-squared and 2-sample t-tests. Overall, mean distance to nearest waterway did not differ between cases (2958 ± 2049 ft) and controls (2856 ± 2018 ft; P=0.701). However, in a subset of nonurban zip codes, cases were closer to nearest waterway than controls (1165 ± 905 ft vs 2113 ± 1710 ft; P=0.019). No association was found between cases and type of waterway. Further research is needed to investigate associations and differences between natural and built environmental water sources in relation to legionellosis.

Knowledge to Predict Pathogens: Legionella pneumophila Lifecycle Systematic Review Part II Growth within and Egress from a Host Cell

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is a pathogenic bacterium of increasing concern, due to its ability to cause a severe pneumonia, Legionnaires' Disease (LD), and the challenges in controlling the bacteria within premise plumbing systems. L. pneumophila can thrive within the biofilm of premise plumbing systems, utilizing protozoan hosts for protection from environmental stressors and to increase its growth rate, which increases the bacteria's infectivity to human host cells. Typical disinfectant techniques have proven to be inadequate in controlling L. pneumophila in the premise plumbing system, exposing users to LD risks. As the bacteria have limited infectivity to human macrophages without replicating within a host protozoan cell, the replication within, and egress from, a protozoan host cell is an integral part of the bacteria's lifecycle. While there is a great deal of information regarding how L. pneumophila interacts with protozoa, the ability to use this data in a model to attempt to predict a concentration of L. pneumophila in a water system is not known. This systematic review summarizes the information in the literature regarding L. pneumophila's growth within and egress from the host cell, summarizes the genes which affect these processes, and calculates how oxidative stress can downregulate those genes.

H-NOX proteins in the virulence of pathogenic bacteria

Nitric oxide (NO) is a toxic gas encountered by bacteria as a product of their own metabolism or as a result of a host immune response. Non-toxic concentrations of NO have been shown to initiate changes in bacterial behaviors such as the transition between planktonic and biofilm-associated lifestyles. The heme nitric oxide/oxygen binding proteins (H-NOX) are a widespread family of bacterial heme-based NO sensors that regulate biofilm formation in response to NO. The presence of H-NOX in several human pathogens combined with the importance of planktonic–biofilm transitions to virulence suggests that H-NOX sensing may be an important virulence factor in these organisms. Here we review the recent data on H-NOX NO signaling pathways with an emphasis on H-NOX homologs from pathogens and commensal organisms. The current state of the field is somewhat ambiguous regarding the role of H-NOX in pathogenesis. However, it is clear that H-NOX regulates biofilm in response to environmental factors and may promote persistence in the environments that serve as reservoirs for these pathogens. Finally, the evidence that large subgroups of H-NOX proteins may sense environmental signals besides NO is discussed within the context of a phylogenetic analysis of this large and diverse family.

Legionella pneumophila CRISPR-Cas Suggests Recurrent Encounters with One or More Phages in the Family Microviridae

Legionella pneumophila is a ubiquitous freshwater pathogen and the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease. L. pneumophila growth within protists provides a refuge from desiccation, disinfection, and other remediation strategies. One outstanding question has been whether this protection extends to phages. L. pneumophila isolates are remarkably devoid of prophages and to date no Legionella phages have been identified. Nevertheless, many L. pneumophila isolates maintain active CRISPR-Cas defenses. So far, the only known target of these systems is an episomal element that we previously named Legionella mobile element 1 (LME-1). The continued expansion of publicly available genomic data promises to further our understanding of the role of these systems. We now describe over 150 CRISPR-Cas systems across 600 isolates to establish the clearest picture yet of L. pneumophila's adaptive defenses. By searching for targets of 1,500 unique CRISPR-Cas spacers, LME-1 remains the only identified CRISPR-Cas targeted integrative element. We identified 3 additional LME-1 variants-all targeted by previously and newly identified CRISPR-Cas spacers-but no other similar elements. Notably, we also identified several spacers with significant sequence similarity to microviruses, specifically those within the subfamily Gokushovirinae. These spacers are found across several different CRISPR-Cas arrays isolated from geographically diverse isolates, indicating recurrent encounters with these phages. Our analysis of the extended Legionella CRISPR-Cas spacer catalog leads to two main conclusions: current data argue against CRISPR-Cas targeted integrative elements beyond LME-1, and the heretofore unknown L. pneumophila phages are most likely lytic gokushoviruses. IMPORTANCE Legionnaires' disease is an often-fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, which normally grows inside amoebae and other freshwater protists. L. pneumophila trades diminished access to nutrients for the protection and isolation provided by the host. One outstanding question is whether L. pneumophila is susceptible to phages, given the protection provided by its intracellular lifestyle. In this work, we use Legionella CRISPR spacer sequences as a record of phage infection to predict that the "missing" L. pneumophila phages belong to the microvirus subfamily Gokushovirinae. Gokushoviruses are known to infect another intracellular pathogen, Chlamydia. How do gokushoviruses access L. pneumophila (and Chlamydia) inside their "cozy niches"? Does exposure to phages happen during a transient extracellular period (during cell-to-cell spread) or is it indicative of a more complicated environmental lifestyle? One thing is clear, 100 years after their discovery, phages continue to hold important secrets about the bacteria upon which they prey.

Advances in Environmental Detection and Clinical Diagnostic Tests for Legionella Species

Legionella is a fastidious organism that is difficult to culture in the lab but is widely distributed in environmental, domestic, and hospital settings. The clinical manifestations due to Legionella infections range from mild fever to fatal pneumonia and multiorgan pathologies. Legionella outbreaks though prevalent globally are not reported in developing countries due to difficulties in isolating this organism and the lack of simple diagnostic protocols. Here, we review the literature from across countries to present various methods used to detect Legionella from environmental and clinical samples. We compare the sensitivity and the specificity of the conventional culture-based assays with the recent methods and discuss approaches to develop better detection and diagnostic tests. With better cost-effective detection techniques and regular monitoring of the susceptible sites, which may harbor Legionella colonies, most of the Legionella infections can be prevented. As a result, considerable burden, caused by Legionella infections, on the healthcare system, in especially economically weaker countries, can be mitigated.

Simple and rapid peptide nanoprobe biosensor for the detection of Legionellaceae

This study demonstrates the development of a sensitive, specific, and quantitative peptide-based nanoprobe prototype assay for the detection of Legionellaceae in a simple way and in a short time. In this work, proteases present in the culture supernatants of Legionella spp. were used as a biomarker. Fluorogenic peptide substrates, specific to Legionella strains culture supernatant proteases, were identified. Peptidases produced a significant increase in the fluorescence intensity following the cleavage of the dipeptide fluorogenic substrates. The specific substrates were identified and coupled with carboxyl-terminated nano-magnetic particles (NMPs). On the other hand, the C-terminal was conjugated with the cysteine residue to covalently integrate with a gold sensing platform via the Au-S linkage. Four different sensors were fabricated from the four specific substrates, which were treated with the protesase of six different species of Legionella. In the presence of specific protease, the peptide sequence is digested and the magnetic nanobeads moved out of the gold surface, resulting in the apparence of gold color. One of the nanoprobes sensitivity detects as low as 60 CFU mL^-1 of Legionella anisa, Legionella micdadei, and Fluoribacter dumoffii. The cross-reactivity of the sensors was tested using other closely associated bacterial species and no significant cross-reactivity of the sensors was found. It is envisaged that this assay could be useful for screening purposes or might be supportive for the fast and easy detection of Legionella protease activity for water monitoring purposes.

Metabolic adaption of Legionella pneumophila during intracellular growth in Acanthamoeba castellanii

The metabolism of Legionella pneumophila strain Paris was elucidated during different time intervals of growth within its natural host Acanthamoeba castellanii. For this purpose, the amoebae were supplied after bacterial infection (t =0 h) with 11 mM [U-¹³C₆]glucose or 3 mM [U-¹³C₃]serine, respectively, during 0-17 h, 17-25 h, or 25-27 h of incubation. At the end of these time intervals, bacterial and amoebal fractions were separated. Each of these fractions was hydrolyzed under acidic conditions. ¹³C-Enrichments and isotopologue distributions of resulting amino acids and 3-hydroxybutyrate were determined by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. Comparative analysis of the labelling patterns revealed the substrate preferences, metabolic pathways, and relative carbon fluxes of the intracellular bacteria and their amoebal host during the time course of the infection cycle. Generally, the bacterial infection increased the usage of exogenous glucose via glycolysis by A. castellanii. In contrast, carbon fluxes via the amoebal citrate cycle were not affected. During the whole infection cycle, intracellular L. pneumophila incorporated amino acids from their host into the bacterial proteins. However, partial bacterial de novo biosynthesis from exogenous ¹³C-Ser and, at minor rates, from ¹³C-glucose could be shown for bacterial Ala, Asp, Glu, and Gly. More specifically, the catabolic usage of Ser increased during the post-exponential phase of intracellular growth, whereas glucose was utilized by the bacteria throughout the infection cycle and not only late during infection as assumed on the basis of earlier in vitro experiments. The early usage of ¹³C-glucose by the intracellular bacteria suggests that glucose availability could serve as a trigger for replication of L. pneumophila inside the vacuoles of host cells.

Cytotoxicity, Intracellular Replication, and Contact-Dependent Pore Formation of Genotyped Environmental Legionella pneumophila Isolates from Hospital Water Systems in the West Bank, Palestine

Legionella pneumophila is the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease. Due to the hot climate and intermittent water supply, the West Bank, Palestine, can be considered a high-risk area for this often fatal atypical pneumonia. L. pneumophila occurs in biofilms of natural and man-made freshwater environments, where it infects and replicates intracellularly within protozoa. To correlate the genetic diversity of the bacteria in the environment with their virulence properties for protozoan and mammalian host cells, 60 genotyped isolates from hospital water systems in the West Bank were analyzed. The L. pneumophila isolates were previously genotyped by high resolution Multi Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA-8(12)) and sorted according to their relationship in clonal complexes (VACC). Strains of relevant genotypes and VACCs were compared according to their capacity to infect Acanthamoeba castellanii and THP-1 macrophages, and to mediate pore-forming cytotoxicity in sheep red blood cells (sRBCs). Based on a previous detailed analysis of the biogeographic distribution and abundance of the MLVA-8(12)-genotypes, the focus of the study was on the most abundant L. pneumophila- genotypes Gt4(17), Gt6 (18) and Gt10(93) and the four relevant clonal complexes [VACC1, VACC2, VACC5 and VACC11]. The highly abundant genotypes Gt4(17) and Gt6(18) are affiliated with VACC1 and sequence type (ST)1 (comprising L. pneumophila str. Paris), and displayed seroroup (Sg)1. Isolates of these two genotypes exhibited significantly higher virulence potentials compared to other genotypes and clonal complexes in the West Bank. Endemic for the West Bank was the clonal complex VACC11 (affiliated with ST461) represented by three relevant genotypes that all displayed Sg6. These genotypes unique for the West Bank showed a lower infectivity and cytotoxicity compared to all other clonal complexes and their affiliated genotypes. Interestingly, the L. pneumophila serotypes ST1 and ST461 were previously identified by in situ-sequence based typing (SBT) as main causative agents of Legionnaires’ disease (LD) in the West Bank at a comparable level. Overall, this study demonstrates the site-specific regional diversity of L. pneumophila genotypes in the West Bank and suggests that a combination of MLVA, cellular infection assays and hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis allows an improved genotype-based risk assessment.

Biogeography and Environmental Drivers of Legionella pneumophila Abundance and Genotype Composition Across the West Bank: Relevance of a Genotype-Based Ecology for Understanding Legionella Occurrence

The West Bank can be considered as a high-risk area for Legionella prevalence in drinking water due to high ambient temperature, intermittent water supply, frequent pressure loss, and storage of drinking water in roof containers. To assess occurrence of Legionella species, especially L. pneumophila, in the drinking water of the West Bank, the drinking water distribution systems of eight hospitals were sampled over a period of 2.3 years covering the seasonal cycle and the major geographic regions. To gain insight into potential environmental drivers, a set of physico-chemical and microbiological parameters was recorded. Sampling included drinking water and biofilm analyzed by culture and PCR-based methods. Cultivation led to the isolation of 180 strains of L. pneumophila that were genotyped by Multi-Locus Variable Number of Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA). Surprisingly, the abundance of culturable L. pneumophila was low in drinking water of the sampling sites, with only three out of eight sites where Legionella was observed at all (range: 30–500 CFU/Liter). By contrast, biofilm and PCR-based analyses showed a higher prevalence. Statistical analyses with physico-chemical parameters revealed a decrease of L. pneumophila abundance for water and biofilm with increasing magnesium concentrations (>30 mg/L). MLVA-genotype analysis of the L. pneumophila isolates and their spatial distribution indicated three niches characterized by distinct physico-chemical parameters and inhabited by specific consortia of genotypes. This study provides novel insights into mechanisms shaping L. pneumophila populations and triggering their abundance leading to an understanding of their genotype-specific niches and ecology in support of improved prevention measures.

Characterization of Legionella pneumophila Populations by Multilocus Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (MLVA) Genotyping from Drinking Water and Biofilm in Hospitals from Different Regions of the West Bank

The West Bank can be considered a high-risk area for Legionnaires' disease (LD) due to its hot climate, intermittent water supply and roof storage of drinking water. Legionella, mostly L. pneumophila, are responsible for LD, a severe, community-acquired and nosocomial pneumonia. To date, no extensive assessment of Legionella spp and L. pneumophila using cultivation in combination with molecular approaches in the West Bank has been published. Two years of environmental surveillance of Legionella in water and biofilms in the drinking water distribution systems (DWDS) of eight hospitals was carried out; 180 L. pneumophila strains were isolated, mostly from biofilms in DWDS. Most of the isolates were identified as serogroup (Sg) 1 (60%) and 6 (30%), while a minor fraction comprised Sg 8 and 10. Multilocus Variable number of tandem repeats Analysis using 13 loci (MLVA-8(12)) was applied as a high-resolution genotyping method and compared to the standard Sequence Based Typing (SBT). The isolates were genotyped in 27 MLVA-8(12) genotypes (Gt), comprising four MLVA clonal complexes (VACC 1; 2; 5; 11). The major fraction of isolates constituted Sequence Type (ST)1 and ST461. Most of the MLVA-genotypes were highly diverse and often unique. The MLVA-genotype composition showed substantial regional variability. In general, the applied MLVA-method made it possible to reproducibly genotype the isolates, and was consistent with SBT but showed a higher resolution. The advantage of the higher resolution was most evident for the subdivision of the large strain sets of ST1 and ST461; these STs were shown to be highly pneumonia-relevant in a former study. This shows that the resolution by MLVA is advantageous for back-tracking risk sites and for the avoidance of outbreaks of L. pneumophila. Overall, our results provide important insights into the detailed population structure of L. pneumophila, allowing for better risk assessment for DWDS.

Impact of inter-amoebic phagocytosis on the L. pneumophila growth

Free-living amoebae are known to act as replication niches for the pathogenic bacterium Legionella pneumophila in freshwater environments. However, we previously reported that some strains of the Willaertia magna species are more resistant to L. pneumophila infection and differ in their ability to support its growth. From this observation, we hypothesize that L. pneumophila growth in environment could be partly dependent on the composition of amoebic populations and on the possible interactions between different amoebic species. We tested this hypothesis by studying the growth of L. pneumophila and of a permissive free-living amoeba, Vermamoeba vermiformis (formerly named Hartmannella vermiformis), in co-culture with or without other free-living amoebae (Acanthamoeba castellanii and W. magna). We demonstrate the occurrence of inter-amoebic phagocytosis with A. castellanii and W. magna being able to ingest V. vermiformis infected or not infected with L. pneumophila. We also found that L. pneumophila growth is strongly impacted by the permissiveness of each interactive amoeba demonstrating that L. pneumophila proliferation and spread are controlled, at least in part, by inter-amoebic interactions.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Legionella spp. Strains Isolated from Water Systems in Morocco

Objective: Legionella is a waterborne pathogen that causes a severe form of pneumonia called Legionnaires' diseases, which is normally acquired by inhalation of aerosols containing Legionella originating from natural and man-made water systems. The aim of this study was to describe the level of antimicrobial susceptibility of environmental Legionella spp. strains to preferred and recommended therapeutic agents to treat Legionella disease. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 60 environmental Legionella spp. strains were tested using the broth dilution method. Susceptibility testing was performed for 12 antimicrobial agents: macrolides (erythromycin, azithromycin [AZI], and clarithromycin [CLA]), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gemifloxacin), a ketolide (telithromycin), cefotaxime (CEF), tigecycline (TIG), doxycycline (DOX), and rifampicin (RIF). Results: All tested strains of Legionella spp. were inhibited by low concentrations of fluoroquinolones and macrolides. Regarding the macrolides, CLA was the most active antibiotic, and AZI was the least active. RIF was the most effective antibiotic against the isolates in vitro. All isolates were inhibited by the following antibiotics (in decreasing order of their MICs): DOX>CEF>TIG. Conclusions: No resistance against these drugs was detected, and all isolates were inhibited by low concentrations of the tested antibiotics. Susceptibility testing of environmental Legionella spp. isolates must be monitored often to detect and evaluate the possible development of antibiotic resistance.

Identification of MazF Homologue in Legionella pneumophila Which Cleaves RNA at the AACU Sequence

MazF is a sequence-specific endoribonuclease that is widely conserved in bacteria and archaea. Here, we found an MazF homologue (MazF-lp; LPO-p0114) in Legionella pneumophila. The mazF-lp gene overlaps 14 base pairs with the upstream gene mazE-lp (MazE-lp; LPO-p0115). The induction of mazF-lp caused cell growth arrest, while mazE-lp co-induction recovered cell growth in Escherichia coli. In vivo and in vitro primer extension experiments showed that MazF-lp is a sequence-specific endoribonuclease cleaving RNA at AACU. The endoribonuclease activity of purified MazF-lp was inhibited by purified MazE-lp. We found that MazE-lp and the MazEF-lp complex specifically bind to the palindromic sequence present in the 5'-untranslated region of the mazEF-lp operon. MazE-lp and MazEF-lp both likely function as a repressor for the mazEF-lp operon and for other genes, including icmR, whose gene product functions as a secretion chaperone for the IcmQ pore-forming protein, by specifically binding to the palindromic sequence in 5'-UTR of these genes.

Environmental surveillance of Legionella spp. colonization in the water system of a large academic hospital: Analysis of the four-year results on the effectiveness of the chlorine dioxide disinfection method

The prevention of Legionella colonization of water systems is one of the goals of hospital management. Among chemical disinfection methods, chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) has been largely used to control Legionella spp. in water systems. We performed a retrospective study to analyse data deriving from the surveillance plan of the water system in a large academic hospital in Rome (Italy) during the period August 2011 and August 2018. We collected the data deriving from the routine water samples used to monitor Legionella spp. colonization. Data from the water samples collected from 163 selected sampling points (hot water tanks, the return loop and distal outlets) was analysed using a life table analysis in order to investigate the duration of the effectiveness of the ClO₂ method in eradicating Legionella spp. The colonization of the water sample by Legionella spp. was considered as the outcome. Our results show that in 81,59% of the sampling points Legionella spp. were never detected at four years of follow up. Chemical and physical characteristics of the water were also compared between the samples which were positive for Legionella spp. and those which were not. No association was found between these factors. The knowledge of the duration over time of the effectiveness of the ClO₂ disinfection method could support decision-making processes in the framework of Risk Management activities in hospitals. Future studies could also be conducted in hospitals to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of different Legionella spp. colonization prevention methods.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification for detection of Legionella pneumophila in respiratory specimens of hospitalized patients in Ahvaz, southwest Iran

Background

Legionnaires’ disease is an important public health problem that can cause substantial mortality and morbidity. Legionnaires’ disease-risk estimation may be compromised by uncertainties in Legionella-detection methods. The aim of this study was the detection of L. pneumophila in respiratory specimens of hospitalized patients with respiratory symptoms by culture, PCR, and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods.

Methods

Sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples were obtained from patients with pneumonia admitted to teaching hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran from June 2016 to March 2017. Isolation of Legionella spp. was done by culturing the samples directly onto buffered charcoal–yeast extract and modified Wadowsky–Yee agar medium. Then, PCR and LAMP assays were performed for detection of L. pneumophila via its mip gene in respiratory specimens.

Results

A total of 100 respiratory specimens were collected. Our results showed that 1% of the samples were culture positive for Legionella spp., and 3% and 7% of samples were positive for L. pneumophila using the mip gene on PCR and LAMP assays, respectively.

Conclusion

Legionnaires’ disease should be considered in the diagnosis of pulmonary infectious diseases. Also, the LAMP assay is a faster method with higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional methods, such as PCR and culture, for laboratory diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease.

Legionella and Legionnaires' disease: Time to explore in India

Legionella pneumophila was first recognised as a fatal cause of pneumonia more than four decades ago, during the 1976-American Legion convention in Philadelphia, USA. Legionella spp. continue to cause disease outbreaks of public health significance, and at present, Legionnaires' disease (LD) has emerged as an important cause of community and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Parallel to this, the understanding of LD has also increased exponentially. However, the disease is likely to be underreported in many countries because of the dearth of common definitions, diagnostic tests and active surveillance systems. In this review, we outline the basic concepts of Legionella including clinical presentations, epidemiology, laboratory diagnosis and the status of LD in India. This article also summarises the progress of research related to Legionella in this country, identifying the research gaps and discussing priorities to explore this unexplored pathogen in India.

Legionella occurrence in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants and risks of reclaimed wastewater reuse: Review

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as confirmed but until today underestimated sources of Legionella, playing an important role in local and community cases and outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease. In general, aerobic biological systems provide an optimum environment for the growth of Legionella due to high organic nitrogen and oxygen concentrations, ideal temperatures and the presence of protozoa. However, few studies have investigated the occurrence of Legionella in WWTPs, and many questions in regards to the interacting factors that promote the proliferation and persistence of Legionella in these treatment systems are still unanswered. This critical review summarizes the current knowledge about Legionella in municipal and industrial WWTPs, the conditions that might support their growth, as well as control strategies that have been applied. Furthermore, an overview of current quantification methods, guidelines and health risks associated with Legionella in reclaimed wastewater is also discussed in depth. A better understanding of the conditions promoting the occurrence of Legionella in WWTPs will contribute to the development of improved wastewater treatment technologies and/or innovative mitigation approaches to minimize future Legionella outbreaks.

Conventional wastewater treatment and reuse site practices modify bacterial community structure but do not eliminate some opportunistic pathogens in reclaimed water

Water recycling continues to expand across the United States, from areas that have access to advanced, potable-level treated reclaimed water, to those having access only to reclaimed water treated at conventional municipal wastewater treatment plants. This expansion makes it important to further characterize the microbial quality of these conventionally-treated water sources. Therefore, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize total bacterial communities present in differentially-treated wastewater and reclaimed water (n = 67 samples) from four U.S. wastewater treatment plants and one associated spray irrigation site conducting on-site ultraviolet treatment and open-air storage. The number of observed operational taxonomic units was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in effluent, compared to influent, after conventional treatment. Effluent community structure was influenced more by treatment method than by influent community structure. The abundance of Legionella spp. increased as treatment progressed in one treatment plant that performed chlorination and in another that seasonally chlorinated. Overall, the alpha-diversity of bacterial communities in reclaimed water decreased (p < 0.01) during wastewater treatment and spray irrigation site ultraviolet treatment (p < 0.01), but increased (p < 0.01) after open-air storage at the spray irrigation site. The abundance of Legionella spp. was higher at the sprinkler system pumphouse at the spray irrigation site than in the influent from the treatment plant supplying the site. Legionella pneumophila was detected in conventionally treated effluent samples and in samples collected after ultraviolet treatment at the spray irrigation site, while Legionella feeleii persisted throughout on-site treatment at the spray irrigation site, and, along with Mycobacterium gordonae, was also detected at the sprinkler system pumphouse at the spray irrigation site. These data could inform the development of future treatment technologies and reuse guidelines that address a broader assemblage of the bacterial community of reclaimed water, resulting in reuse practices that may be more protective of public health.

Deletion of oxyR in Legionella pneumophila causes growth defect on agar

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is a strict aerobe, surviving and replicating in environments where it frequently encounters reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the nutrient-poor water environment and its replicative niche inside host cells. In many proteobacteria, the LysR-type regulator OxyR controls the oxidative stress response; however, the importance of the OxyR homologue in Lp is still unclear. Therefore, we undertook the characterization of phenotypes associated with the deletion of oxyR in Lp. Contrary to the wild type, the oxyR deletion mutant exhibits a severe growth defect on charcoal - yeast extract (CYE) agar lacking α-ketoglutarate supplementation. Growth in AYE broth (CYE without agar and charcoal), in amoeba and in human cultured macrophages, and survival in water is unaffected by the deletion. Supplementing CYE agar with antioxidants that neutralize ROS or introducing the oxyR gene in trans rescues the observed growth defect. Moreover, the mutant grows as well as the wild type on CYE plates made with agarose instead of agar, suggesting that a compound present in the latter is responsible for the growth defect phenotype.

Searching for Activity Markers that Approximate (VBNC) Legionella pneumophila Infectivity in Amoeba after Ultraviolet (UV) Irradiation

Legionella pneumophila is an increasingly recognized threat to public health via aerosol exposures; with a variety of control measures including: water temperature/flow management and free chlorine used to reduce the risk of infection within healthcare centers. Despite these efforts, L. pneumophila often recolonizes plumbing systems after specific treatments, which prompted us to examine ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for a point-of-use, secondary control measure. Currently, there is no data on the efficacy of high (>254 nm) wavelength UV-C (100–280 nm) light inactivation of L. pneumophila with resuscitation of viable but non-culturable (VBNC) cells. We report for the first time L. pneumophila dose-responses for 268.6 nm and 288.6 nm UV-C, as compared to 256 nm, and demonstrate UV induced VBNC L. pneumophila remaining infectious to Acanthamoeba polyphaga during co-culture experiments. Findings were correlated to molecular-based activity assays to identify additional measures of L. pneumophila viability following UV disinfection compared to culture. A collection of viability markers may provide a more representative measure of risk compared to current culture-based detection, since UV-C irradiated L. pneumophila lose culturability, yet retain activity, increased ATP production, and the ability to be resuscitated by amoeba co-culture. This finding is significant as it identifies potential concern from VBNC cells following UV-C disinfection and the need for further research into the efficacy of UV inactivation as a point-of-use application for L. pneumophila control and management.

Legionella pneumophila CsrA regulates a metabolic switch from amino acid to glycerolipid metabolism

Legionella pneumophila CsrA plays a crucial role in the life-stage-specific expression of virulence phenotypes and metabolic activity. However, its exact role is only partly known. To elucidate how CsrA impacts L. pneumophila metabolism we analysed the CsrA depended regulation of metabolic functions by comparative ¹³C-isotopologue profiling and oxygen consumption experiments of a L. pneumophila wild-type (wt) strain and its isogenic csrA⁻ mutant. We show that a csrA⁻ mutant has significantly lower respiration rates when serine, alanine, pyruvate, α-ketoglutarate or palmitate is the sole carbon source. By contrast, when grown in glucose or glycerol, no differences in respiration were detected. Isotopologue profiling uncovered that the transfer of label from [U-¹³C₃]serine via pyruvate into the citrate cycle and gluconeogenesis was lower in the mutant as judged from the labelling patterns of protein-derived amino acids, cell-wall-derived diaminopimelate, sugars and amino sugars and 3-hydroxybutyrate derived from polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). Similarly, the incorporation of [U-¹³C₆]glucose via the glycolysis/Entner–Doudoroff (ED) pathway but not via the pentose phosphate pathway was repressed in the csrA⁻ mutant. On the other hand, fluxes due to [U-¹³C₃]glycerol utilization were increased in the csrA⁻ mutant. In addition, we showed that exogenous [1,2,3,4-¹³C₄]palmitic acid is efficiently used for PHB synthesis via ¹³C₂-acetyl-CoA. Taken together, CsrA induces serine catabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle and glucose degradation via the ED pathway, but represses glycerol metabolism, fatty acid degradation and PHB biosynthesis, in particular during exponential growth. Thus, CsrA has a determining role in substrate usage and carbon partitioning during the L. pneumophila life cycle and regulates a switch from amino acid usage in replicative phase to glycerolipid usage during transmissive growth.

Small Rho GTPases and the Effector VipA Mediate the Invasion of Epithelial Cells by Filamentous Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila (Lp) exhibits different morphologies with varying degrees of virulence. Despite their detection in environmental sources of outbreaks and in respiratory tract secretions and lung autopsies from patients, the filamentous morphotype of Lp remains poorly studied. We previously demonstrated that filamentous Lp invades lung epithelial cells (LECs) and replicates intracellularly in a Legionella containing vacuole. Filamentous Lp activates β1integrin and E-cadherin receptors at the surface of LECs leading to the formation of actin-rich cell membrane structures we termed hooks and membrane wraps. These structures entrap segments of an Lp filament on host cell surface and mediate bacterial internalization. Here we investigated the molecular mechanisms responsible for the actin rearrangements needed for the formation and elongation of these membrane wraps and bacterial internalization. We combined genetic and pharmacological approaches to assess the contribution of signaling downstream of β1integrin and E-cadherin receptors, and Lp Dot/Icm secretion system- translocated effectors toward the invasion process. Our studies demonstrate a multi-stage mechanism of LEC invasion by filamentous Lp. Bacterial attachment to host cells depends on signaling downstream of β1integrin and E-cadherin activation, leading to Rho GTPases-dependent activation of cellular actin nucleating proteins, Arp2/3 and mDia. This mediates the formation of primordial membrane wraps that entrap the filamentous bacteria on the cell surface. Following this, in a second phase of the invasion process the Dot/Icm translocated effector VipA mediates rapid membrane wrap elongation, leading to the engulfment of the filamentous bacteria by the LECs. Our findings provide the first description of Rho GTPases and a Dot/Icm effector VipA regulating the actin dynamics needed for the invasion of epithelial cells by Lp.

Virulence Traits of Environmental and Clinical Legionella pneumophila Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) Genotypes

Legionella pneumophila causes water-based infections resulting in severe pneumonia. Recently, we showed that different MLVA-8 (multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis using 8 loci) genotypes dominated different sites of a drinking-water distribution system. Each genotype displayed a unique temperature-dependent growth behavior. Here we compared the pathogenicity potentials of different MLVA-8 genotypes of environmental and clinical strains. The virulence traits studied were hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity toward amoebae and macrophages. Clinical strains were significantly more hemolytic than environmental strains, while their cytotoxicity toward amoebae was significantly lower at 30°C. No significant differences were detected between clinical and environmental strains in cytotoxicity toward macrophages. Significant differences in virulence were observed between the environmental genotypes (Gt). Gt15 strains showed a significantly higher hemolytic activity. In contrast, Gt4 and Gt6 strains were more infective toward Acanthamoeba castellanii Moreover, Gt4 strains exhibited increased cytotoxicity toward macrophages and demonstrated a broader temperature range of amoebal lysis than Gt6 and Gt15 strains. Understanding the virulence traits of Legionella genotypes may improve the assessment of public health risks of Legionella in drinking water.IMPORTANCELegionella pneumophila is the causative agent of a severe form of pneumonia. Here we demonstrated that clinical strains were significantly more cytotoxic toward red blood cells than environmental strains, while their cytotoxicity toward macrophages was similar. Genotype 4 (Gt4) strains were highly cytotoxic toward amoebae and macrophages and lysed amoebae in a broader temperature range than to the other studied genotypes. The results can explain the relatively high success of Gt4 in the environment and in clinical samples; thus, Gt4 strains should be considered a main factor for the assessment of public health risks of Legionella in drinking water. Our findings shed light on the ecology, virulence, and pathogenicity potential of different L. pneumophila genotypes, which can be a valuable parameter for future modeling and quantitative microbial risk assessment of Legionella in drinking-water systems.

Factors Mediating Environmental Biofilm Formation by Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila (L. pneumophila) is an opportunistic waterborne pathogen and the causative agent for Legionnaires' disease, which is transmitted to humans via inhalation of contaminated water droplets. The bacterium is able to colonize a variety of man-made water systems such as cooling towers, spas, and dental lines and is widely distributed in multiple niches, including several species of protozoa In addition to survival in planktonic phase, L. pneumophila is able to survive and persist within multi-species biofilms that cover surfaces within water systems. Biofilm formation by L. pneumophila is advantageous for the pathogen as it leads to persistence, spread, resistance to treatments and an increase in virulence of this bacterium. Furthermore, Legionellosis outbreaks have been associated with the presence of L. pneumophila in biofilms, even after the extensive chemical and physical treatments. In the microbial consortium-containing L. pneumophila among other organisms, several factors either positively or negatively regulate the presence and persistence of L. pneumophila in this bacterial community. Biofilm-forming L. pneumophila is of a major importance to public health and have impact on the medical and industrial sectors. Indeed, prevention and removal protocols of L. pneumophila as well as diagnosis and hospitalization of patients infected with this bacteria cost governments billions of dollars. Therefore, understanding the biological and environmental factors that contribute to persistence and physiological adaptation in biofilms can be detrimental to eradicate and prevent the transmission of L. pneumophila. In this review, we focus on various factors that contribute to persistence of L. pneumophila within the biofilm consortium, the advantages that the bacteria gain from surviving in biofilms, genes and gene regulation during biofilm formation and finally challenges related to biofilm resistance to biocides and anti-Legionella treatments.

The Life Cycle of L. pneumophila: Cellular Differentiation Is Linked to Virulence and Metabolism

Legionella pneumophila is a gram-negative bacterium that inhabits freshwater ecosystems, where it is present in biofilm or as planktonic form. L. pneumophila is mainly found associated with protozoa, which serve as protection from hostile environments and as replication niche. If inhaled within aerosols, L. pneumophila is also able to infect and replicate in human alveolar macrophages, eventually causing the Legionnaires' disease. The transition between intracellular and extracellular environments triggers a differentiation program in which metabolic as well as morphogenetic changes occur. We here describe the current knowledge on how the different developmental states of this bacterium are regulated, with a particular emphasis on the stringent response activated during the transition from the replicative phase to the infectious phase and the metabolic features going in hand. We propose that the cellular differentiation of this intracellular pathogen is closely associated to key metabolic changes in the bacterium and the host cell, which together have a crucial role in the regulation of L. pneumophila virulence.

Two Related Occupational Cases of Legionella longbeachae Infection, Quebec, Canada

Two patients with no exposure to gardening compost had related Legionella longbeachae infections in Quebec, Canada. Epidemiologic investigation and laboratory results from patient and soil samples identified the patients’ workplace, a metal recycling plant, as the likely source of infection, indicating a need to suspect occupational exposure for L. longbeachae infections.

Occurrence of Legionella in showers at recreational facilities

Critical environments, including water systems in recreational settings, represent an important source of Legionella pneumophila infection in humans. In order to assess the potential risk for legionellosis, we analyzed Legionella contamination of water distribution systems in 36 recreational facilities equipped with swimming pools. One hundred and sixty water samples were analyzed from shower heads or taps located in locker rooms or in bathrooms. By culture method and polymerase chain reaction, 41/160 samples were positive for Legionella from 12/36 recreational centers. Hotels (57.1%) and sports centers (41.2%) were the most contaminated. L. pneumophila serotypes 2-14 (25/41) were more frequently found than serotype 1 (10/41). Samples at temperature ≥30 °C were more frequently positive than samples at temperature <30 °C (n = 39 vs n = 2, p < 0.00001). The presence of L. pneumophila was investigated by comparison with heterotrophic plate count (HPC), an indicator of water quality. The presence of L. pneumophila was associated more frequently with high and intermediate HPC load at 37 °C, therefore should be considered a potential source when HPC at 37 °C is >10 CFU/mL. Maintenance, good hygiene practices, interventions on the hydraulic system and regular controls must be implemented to minimize exposure to L. pneumophila infection risk.

UV-C inactivation of Legionella rubrilucens

Background: Despite the great health significance of Legionella, there is only little information on their UV sensitivity. Besides Legionella pneumophila only L. longbeachae has been investigated so far.

Methods: In this study L. rubrilucens has been spread on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar and irradiated with the 254 nm UV-C emission of a mercury vapor lamp. The disinfection success is measured by colony counting after incubation and comparison of the number of colonies on irradiated and unirradiated reference agar plates.

Results: The average log-reduction dose is 1.08 mJ/cm² for free L. rubrilucens, which is at the lower end of the so far published Legionella log-reduction values, but all three Legionella species show similar UV-C sensitivities.

Conclusion: The log-reduction dose of legionellae in amoebae has not been investigated, but with the observed high UV-C sensitivity for free Legionella, the idea of a future point-of-use disinfection by small UV-C LEDs in water-taps or shower heads appears to be realistic, even if legionellae are more resistant in amoebae.

Impact of water heater temperature setting and water use frequency on the building plumbing microbiome

Hot water plumbing is an important conduit of microbes into the indoor environment and can increase risk of opportunistic pathogens (for example, Legionella pneumophila). We examined the combined effects of water heater temperature (39, 42, 48, 51 and 58 °C), pipe orientation (upward/downward), and water use frequency (21, 3 and 1 flush per week) on the microbial composition at the tap using a pilot-scale pipe rig. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated that bulk water and corresponding biofilm typically had distinct taxonomic compositions (R²_Adonis=0.246, P_Adonis=0.001), yet similar predicted functions based on PICRUSt analysis (R²_Adonis=0.087, P_Adonis=0.001). Although a prior study had identified 51 °C under low water use frequency to enrich Legionella at the tap, here we reveal that 51 °C is also a threshold above which there are marked effects of the combined influences of temperature, pipe orientation, and use frequency on taxonomic and functional composition. A positive association was noted between relative abundances of Legionella and mitochondrial DNA of Vermamoeba, a genus of amoebae that can enhance virulence and facilitate replication of some pathogens. This study takes a step towards intentional control of the plumbing microbiome and highlights the importance of microbial ecology in governing pathogen proliferation.

The Legionella pneumophila genome evolved to accommodate multiple regulatory mechanisms controlled by the CsrA-system

The carbon storage regulator protein CsrA regulates cellular processes post-transcriptionally by binding to target-RNAs altering translation efficiency and/or their stability. Here we identified and analyzed the direct targets of CsrA in the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Genome wide transcriptome, proteome and RNA co-immunoprecipitation followed by deep sequencing of a wild type and a csrA mutant strain identified 479 RNAs with potential CsrA interaction sites located in the untranslated and/or coding regions of mRNAs or of known non-coding sRNAs. Further analyses revealed that CsrA exhibits a dual regulatory role in virulence as it affects the expression of the regulators FleQ, LqsR, LetE and RpoS but it also directly regulates the timely expression of over 40 Dot/Icm substrates. CsrA controls its own expression and the stringent response through a regulatory feedback loop as evidenced by its binding to RelA-mRNA and links it to quorum sensing and motility. CsrA is a central player in the carbon, amino acid, fatty acid metabolism and energy transfer and directly affects the biosynthesis of cofactors, vitamins and secondary metabolites. We describe the first L. pneumophila riboswitch, a thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitch whose regulatory impact is fine-tuned by CsrA, and identified a unique regulatory mode of CsrA, the active stabilization of RNA anti-terminator conformations inside a coding sequence preventing Rho-dependent termination of the gap operon through transcriptional polarity effects. This allows L. pneumophila to regulate the pentose phosphate pathway and the glycolysis combined or individually although they share genes in a single operon. Thus the L. pneumophila genome has evolved to acclimate at least five different modes of regulation by CsrA giving it a truly unique position in its life cycle.

The RNA binding protein CsrA is the master regulator of the bi-phasic life cycle of Legionella pneumophila governing virulence expression in this intracellular pathogen. Here, we have used deep sequencing of RNA enriched by co-immunoprecipitation with epitope-tagged CsrA to identify CsrA-associated transcripts at the genome level. We found 479 mRNAs or non-coding RNAs to be targets of CsrA. Among those major regulators including FleQ, the regulator of flagella expression, LqsR, the regulator of quorum sensing and RpoS implicated in stress response were identified. The expression of over 40 type IV secreted effector proteins important for intracellular survival and virulence are under the control of CsrA. Combined with transcriptomics, whole shotgun proteomics of a wild type and a CsrA mutant strain and functional analyses of several CsrA-targeted RNAs we identified the first riboswitch in L. pneumophila, a thiamine pyrophosphate riboswitch, and discovered a new mode of regulation by CsrA that allows L. pneumophila to regulate the pentose phosphate pathway and the glycolysis combined or individually although they share genes in a single operon. Our results further underline the indispensable role of CsrA in the life cycle of L. pneumophila and provide new insights into its regulatory roles and mechanisms.

From Evolutionary Advantage to Disease Agents: Forensic Reevaluation of Host-Microbe Interactions and Pathogenicity

As the "human microbiome era" continues, there is an increasing awareness of our resident microbiota and its indispensable role in our fitness as holobionts. However, the host-microbe relationship is not so clearly defined for some human symbionts. Here we discuss examples of "accidental pathogens," meaning previously nonpathogenic and/or environmental microbes thought to have inadvertently experienced an evolutionary shift toward pathogenicity. For instance, symbionts such as Helicobacter pylori and JC polyomavirus have been shown to have accompanied humans since prehistoric times and are still abundant in extant populations as part of the microbiome. And yet, the relationship between a subgroup of these microbes and their human hosts seems to have changed with time, and they have recently gained notoriety as gastrointestinal and neuropathogens, respectively. On the other hand, environmental microbes such as Legionella spp. have recently experienced a shift in host range and are now a major problem in industrialized countries as a result of artificial ecosystems. Other variables involved in this accidental phenomenon could be the apparent change or reduction in the diversity of human-associated microbiota because of modern medicine and lifestyles. All of this could result in an increased prevalence of accidental pathogens in the form of emerging pathogens.

Comparison of sputum microbiome of legionellosis-associated patients and other pneumonia patients: indications for polybacterial infections

Bacteria of the genus Legionella cause water-based infections resulting in severe pneumonia. Here we analyze and compare the bacterial microbiome of sputum samples from pneumonia patients in relation to the presence and abundance of the genus Legionella. The prevalence of Legionella species was determined by culture, PCR, and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). Nine sputum samples out of the 133 analyzed were PCR-positive using Legionella genus-specific primers. Only one sample was positive by culture. Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses of Legionella-positive and Legionella-negative sputum samples, confirmed that indeed, Legionella was present in the PCR-positive sputum samples. This approach allowed the identification of the sputum microbiome at the genus level, and for Legionella genus at the species and sub-species level. 42% of the sputum samples were dominated by Streptococcus. Legionella was never the dominating genus and was always accompanied by other respiratory pathogens. Interestingly, sputum samples that were Legionella positive were inhabited by aquatic bacteria that have been observed in an association with amoeba, indicating that amoeba might have transferred Legionella from the drinking water together with its microbiome. This is the first study that demonstrates the sputum major bacterial commensals and pathogens profiles with regard to Legionella presence.

Legionellosis in the occupational setting

Legionellosis is the common name for two infections, Legionnaires' disease (LD) and Pontiac fever (PF), both caused by Legionella bacteria. Although with low incidence, LD is an important cause of community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Among community-acquired cases, an increasing number was reported to be linked to the occupational setting, posing the need for better recognition of work activities at risk of legionellosis. In this work, we selected and reviewed relevant literature on cases of occupational legionellosis published between 1978 and 2016 in order to define the: i) etiology; ii) sources of infection, iii) work activities at risk, iv) infection rates, v) predisposing factors, vi) mortality and vii) country distribution. To our knowledge, this is the first review to provide an analysis of cases of occupational legionellosis. A literature search in the PubMed website was started on January 31, 2015 and ended on June 30, 2016. Cases of occupational legionellosis documented in the scientific literature were retrieved from PubMed upon interrogation with the following keywords: "Legionella pneumophila", "Legionnaires' disease", "Pontiac fever", and "legionellosis", in combination with "employees", "workers", and "occupational". Abstracts were reviewed, and applicable articles were obtained. Only articles that met the inclusion criteria were considered. Forty-seven articles were selected, reporting confirmed cases of legionellosis which occurred over 66 years (1949-2015), and involved 805 workers (221, LD; 584, PF). Fatalities were all associated with LD, resulting in 4.1% mortality. The most common etiologic agents were Legionella pneumophila (58.5%) and Legionella feeleii (39.4%), the latter being responsible for only one large outbreak of PF. Workplaces more frequently associated with occupational legionellosis were industrial settings (62.0%), office buildings (27.3%) and healthcare facilities (6.3%), though cases were also reported from a variety of workplaces, e.g. artesian excavation and horticultural sites, lorry parks, ships, water and sewage plants. With few exceptions, cases occurred in industrialized countries of the northern hemisphere. Overall, our review highlights an extended spectrum of occupational categories at risk for legionellosis. For all categories, infection originated from exposure to work-generated aerosols contaminated with Legionella spp., and industrial facilities equipped with cooling towers or coolant systems were the most common occupational settings. These observations should raise awareness of the risk of acquiring legionellosis at work, and help to improve prevention and control measures for this infrequent but still problematic disease.

Geographic distributions of motor neuron disease mortality and well water use in U.S. counties

OBJECTIVE

We recently reported that U.S. mortality rates for motor neuron disease (MND) at the level of the state are associated with well water use. However, data at the state level may not accurately reflect data at the individual level. We therefore examined the association between MND mortality and well water use utilizing data from smaller geographic units that may better reflect exposure and disease at the individual level.

METHODS

We used data on age-adjusted MND mortality rates at the level of the county, obtained from the CDC, and corresponding data on the prevalence of well water use, obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey. Data were analyzed by multivariate linear regression and by Getis-Ord Gi*, a measure of spatial clustering.

RESULTS

Age-adjusted mortality rates for MND in 923 U.S. counties were significantly correlated with the prevalence of well water (p < 0.0001). 'Hot spots' of MND mortality were significantly associated with 'hot spots' of well water use (p < 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the hypothesis that an agent present in well water plays an etiologic role in ALS. Further study of water use among individuals with ALS is warranted.

When Diarrhea Can Become Deadly: Legionnaires' Disease Complicated by Bowel Obstruction

Legionnaires’ disease may present with a broad spectrum of illnesses and nonspecific extrapulmonary symptoms including diarrhea. To our knowledge, bowel obstruction has not been reported as a manifestation of Legionella. We present a unique case of Legionnaires’ disease contributing to a small bowel obstruction.

Motor neuron disease mortality rates in U.S. states are associated with well water use

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with an unknown cause and invariably fatal outcome. We sought to evaluate a correlation between motor neuron disease (MND) mortality rates and residential radon levels that was previously reported for counties in the United Kingdom. We examined the relationships between age-adjusted MND mortality rates in U.S. states with residential radon levels, well water use, and other variables using structural equation modeling. We observed a significant correlation between MND mortality rates and radon levels. However, in structural equation models, radon did not have a significant, direct effect on MND mortality rates. Conversely, MND mortality rates were significantly and directly predicted by race and by the percentage of the population of each state using well water (p < 0.001 and p = 0.022). We observed similar, significant effects for well water use and MND mortality for males and females separately (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we hypothesize that the association of MND mortality rates with well water use reflects contamination of wells with Legionella, a bacterium common in well water that is known to cause neurologic disease. A Legionella hypothesis is a biologically plausible cause of ALS and suggests new avenues for etiologic research.

First Case of Legionnaire's Disease Caused by Legionella anisa in Spain and the Limitations on the Diagnosis of Legionella non-pneumophila Infections

Legionnaires' disease is a severe form of pneumonia, with worldwide relevance, caused by Legionella spp. Approximately 90% of all cases of legionellosis are caused by Legionella pneumophila, but other species can also be responsible for this infection. These bacteria are transmitted by inhalation of aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. In Spain, environmental studies have demonstrated the presence of Legionella non-pneumophila species in drinking water treatment plants and water distribution networks. Aware that this evidence indicates a risk factor and the lack of routine assays designed to detect simultaneously diverse Legionella species, we analyzed 210 urine samples from patients presenting clinical manifestations of pneumonia using a semi-nested PCR for partial amplification of the 16S rDNA gene of Legionella and a diagnostic method used in hospitals for Legionella antigen detection. In this study, we detected a total of 15 cases of legionellosis (7.1%) and the first case of Legionnaires' disease caused by L. anisa in Spain. While the conventional method used in hospitals could only detect four cases (1.9%) produced by L. pneumophila serogroup 1, using PCR, the following species were identified: Legionella spp. (10/15), L. pneumophila (4/15) and L. anisa (1/15). These results suggest the need to change hospital diagnostic strategies regarding the identification of Legionella species associated with this disease. Therefore, the detection of Legionella DNA by PCR in urine samples seems to be a suitable alternative method for a sensitive, accurate and rapid diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia, caused by L. pneumophila and also for L. non-pneumophila species.

Legionella species diversity and dynamics from surface reservoir to tap water: from cold adaptation to thermophily

Water samples of the Drinking Water Supply System (DWSS) of the city of Braunschweig were analysed for its Legionella species composition using genus-specific PCR amplicons and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) fingerprint analyses based on 16S rRNA genes. These analyses comprised the whole supply chain including raw water, treatment process and large-scale storage, and a seasonal study of finished drinking water sampled monthly from cold and hot tap water. Treatment of raw water had a major impact on Legionella species by reducing their diversity and abundances. The Legionella species composition of the tap water was highly distinct from that of both source waters. In cold water, 8-14 different phylotypes of Legionella (PTLs) were observed per sample with relative abundances ranging from >1% to 53%. In hot water, L. pneumophila was present during all seasons at high relative abundances (8-40%) accompanied by 5-14 other PTLs of which 6 PTLs were in common with cold water. This thermophilic Legionella community, including L. pneumophila, was able to grow in the hot water above 50 °C. Such thermophilic Legionella populations are of general relevance for drinking water management and public health, but also for the ecology and evolution of the genus Legionella.

Optimized methods for Legionella pneumophila release from its Acanthamoeba hosts

BACKGROUND

Free-living amoebae (FLA) and particularly acanthamoebae serve as vehicles and hosts for Legionella pneumophila, among other pathogenic microorganisms. Within the amoebae, L. pneumophila activates a complex regulatory pathway that enables the bacteria to resist amoebal digestion and to replicate. Moreover, the amoebae provide the bacteria protection against harsh environmental conditions and disinfectants commonly used in engineered water systems. To study this ecological relationship, co-culture and infection models have been used. However, there is a lack of data regarding the effectiveness of the different methods used to release intracellular bacteria from their amoebal hosts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the methods used to release intracellular L. pneumophila cells on the culturability of the bacteria. Furthermore, the standard method ISO 11731:1998 for the recovery and enumeration of Legionella from water samples was evaluated for its suitability to quantify intracellular bacteria.

RESULTS

The effectiveness of the eight release treatments applied to L. pneumophila and Acanthamoeba strains in a free-living state varied between bacterial strains. Moreover, the current study provides numerical data on the state of co-culture suspensions at different time points. The release treatments enhanced survival of both microorganisms in co-cultures of L. pneumophila and Acanthamoeba. Passage through a needle (21G, 27G) and centrifugation at 10,000 × g showed the highest bacterial counts when releasing the bacteria from the intracellular state. Regarding the ISO 11731:1998 method, one of the tested strains showed no differences between the recovery rates of associated and free-living L. pneumophila. However, a reduced bacterial recovery rate was observed for the second L. pneumophila strain used, and this difference is likely linked to the survival of the amoebae.

CONCLUSIONS

Mechanical release treatments were the most effective methods for providing bacterial release without the use of chemicals that could compromise further study of the intracellular bacteria. The current results demonstrated that the recovery of L. pneumophila from water systems may be underestimated if protozoal membranes are not disrupted.

Legionella pneumophila: The Paradox of a Highly Sensitive Opportunistic Waterborne Pathogen Able to Persist in the Environment

Legionella pneumophila, the major causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, is found in freshwater environments in close association with free-living amoebae and multispecies biofilms, leading to persistence, spread, biocide resistance, and elevated virulence of the bacterium. Indeed, legionellosis outbreaks are mainly due to the ability of this bacterium to colonize and persist in water facilities, despite harsh physical and chemical treatments. However, these treatments are not totally efficient and, after a lag period, L. pneumophila may be able to quickly re-colonize these systems. Several natural compounds (biosurfactants, antimicrobial peptides…) with anti-Legionella properties have recently been described in the literature, highlighting their specific activities against this pathogen. In this review, we first consider this hallmark of Legionella to resist killing, in regard to its biofilm or host-associated life style. Then, we focus more accurately on natural anti-Legionella molecules described so far, which could provide new eco-friendly and alternative ways to struggle against this important pathogen in plumbing.

Dendrimers and Polyamino-Phenolic Ligands: Activity of New Molecules Against Legionella pneumophila Biofilms

Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, an aquatic bacterium often found within the biofilm niche. In man-made water systems microbial biofilms increase the resistance of legionella to disinfection, posing a significant threat to public health. Disinfection methods currently used in water systems have been shown to be ineffective against legionella over the long-term, allowing recolonization by the biofilm-protected microorganisms. In this study, the anti-biofilm activity of previously fabricated polyamino-phenolic ligands and polyamidoamine dendrimers was investigated against legionella mono-species and multi-species biofilms formed by L. pneumophila in association with other bacteria that can be found in tap water (Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae). Bacterial ability to form biofilms was verified using a crystal violet colorimetric assay and testing cell viability by real-time quantitative PCR and Plate Count assay. The concentration of the chemicals tested as anti-biofilm agents was chosen based on cytotoxicity assays: the highest non-cytotoxic chemical concentration was used for biofilm inhibition assays, with dendrimer concentration 10-fold higher than polyamino-phenolic ligands. While Macrophen and Double Macrophen were the most active substances among polyamino-phenolic ligands, dendrimers were overall twofold more effective than all other compounds with a reduction up to 85 and 73% of legionella and multi-species biofilms, respectively. Chemical interaction with matrix molecules is hypothesized, based on SEM images and considering the low or absent anti-microbial activity on planktonic bacteria showed by flow cytometry. These data suggest that the studied compounds, especially dendrimers, could be considered as novel molecules in the design of research projects aimed at the development of efficacious anti-biofilm disinfection treatments of water systems in order to minimize legionellosis outbreaks.