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Intracellular Multiplication of Legionella Species and the Influence of Amoebae on Their Intracellular Growth in Human Monocytes

Mono Mac 6 Cells and Acanthamoeba castellanii as Suitable In Vitro Models

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Public Health Microbiology

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 268))

Abstract

Legionellae are important etiological agents of pneumonia. Legionella pneumophila (predominantly serogroup 1) is detected in most cases of legionellosis; other species only occasionally cause infections, predominantly in immunocompromized patients (1–4). Aquiferous technical systems are the primary source of infection (air-conditioning systems, refrigerators, showers, whirlpools, springs, taps, moisturizing equipment, medical nebulizers, and swimming pools). Legionellae are present in the water in these systems, within the amoebae, flagellates, and ciliates in which they replicate (2,5,6). After inhalation of contaminated aerosols, the bacteria multiply intracellularly within alveolar macrophages (7). The ability to multiply within monocytic host cells is usually considered to correspond to pathogenicity (8–13). The mechanisms of intracellular replication have been only partially characterized (recently summarized in ref. 14).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany

    Birgid Neumeister

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  1. Birgid Neumeister
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  1. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos, (PROIMI)-CONICET, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina

    John F. T. Spencer  & Alicia L. Ragout de Spencer  & 

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Neumeister, B. (2004). Intracellular Multiplication of Legionella Species and the Influence of Amoebae on Their Intracellular Growth in Human Monocytes. In: Spencer, J.F.T., Ragout de Spencer, A.L. (eds) Public Health Microbiology. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 268. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-766-1:141

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-766-1:141

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-117-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-766-6

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