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Legionella pp 3–25Cite as

Identification of Legionella in the Environment

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 954))

Abstract

Legionella is ubiquitous in freshwater systems worldwide and can also be found in soil. Legionellosis may be caused by inhalation of aerosolized water or soil particles containing Legionella. Isolation of Legionella from the environment is an essential step in outbreak investigation and may also be performed within the context of a hazard analysis and control risk management plan. Culture remains the gold standard for detection of Legionella in environmental samples. Specific properties of environmental sites that could be a source of Legionella contamination, collection of samples from such sites, and procedures for culture of these samples for Legionella are described in this chapter.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Ellen W. Brown and Joseph C. Carpenter for their help in preparation of the chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Natalia A. Kozak, Claressa E. Lucas & Jonas M. Winchell

Authors
  1. Natalia A. Kozak
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  2. Claressa E. Lucas
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  3. Jonas M. Winchell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Natalia A. Kozak .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Biology of Intracellular Bacteria, Institut Pasteur, Rue du Dr. Roux 28, Paris, 75724, France

    Carmen Buchrieser

  2. Max von Pettenkofer Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Pettenkoferstrasse 9a, Munich, 80336, Germany

    Hubert Hilbi

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Kozak, N.A., Lucas, C.E., Winchell, J.M. (2013). Identification of Legionella in the Environment. In: Buchrieser, C., Hilbi, H. (eds) Legionella. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 954. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-161-5_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-161-5_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-160-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-161-5

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