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Tolerance ofLegionella species to sodium chloride

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Abstract

Inhibition by sodium chloride of the growth of 19 strains ofLegionella pneumophila and of 10 strains of otherLegionella spp. was studied. Results from growth in buffered α-ketoglutarate cysteine yeast extract (BAYE) broth containing 0 to 2.0% sodium chloride indicated that 15/19 laboratory strains ofL. pneumophila were capable of growing in 1.0% to 1.5% sodium chloride, whereas 4 strains ofL. pneumophila and 10 strains of 6 other species were not.L. micdadei andL. longebeachae were the most inhibited in BAYE broth, growing only in concentrations of ≤0.5% sodium chloride. These in vitro studies indicate thatL. micdadei andL. longbeachae might be differentiated from other species by their low tolerance to salt in BAYE broth, and thatL. pneumophila may be more tolerant to salt concentrations found in brackish water environments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bacterial Diseases, Respiratory and Special Pathogens Laboratory Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 30333, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    James M. Barbaree

  2. Division of Viral Diseases, Special Pathogens Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 30333, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Anthony Sanchez

  3. Biological Products Program, Production Branch, Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, 30333, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    Gary N. Sanden

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  1. James M. Barbaree
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  2. Anthony Sanchez
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  3. Gary N. Sanden
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Barbaree, J.M., Sanchez, A. & Sanden, G.N. Tolerance ofLegionella species to sodium chloride. Current Microbiology 9, 1–5 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01567125

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