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Legionella pneumophila and related organisms induce the generation of procoagulant activity by peripheral mononuclear cells in vitro

Legionella pneumophila und verwandte Mikroorganismen induzieren in mononukleären Zellen die Bildung von Faktoren mit prokoagulatorischer Aktivität

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Summary

We investigated thein vitro effect of various members of the genusLegionella on human peripheral mononuclear cells. All the strains tested induced the generation of strong procoagulant activity (tissue factor) when incubated for a prolonged period of time with pure mononuclear cell suspensions. This effect was dependent on the number of bacteria. The production of mononuclear cell procoagulant activity was also observed after the addition of bacteria to citrated whole blood.Escherichia coli 0111:B4 showed similar activity, butStaphylococcus aureus was much less effective. These findings suggest that the presence of endotoxin-like substance(s) in the outer cell wall ofLegionellae could contribute to the stimulation of mononuclear cells. The production of tissue factor, a potent trigger of blood clotting, by these cells could help us to understand the mechanism(s) responsible for the activation of intravascular coagulation associated with severe legionellosis.

Zusammenfassung

Mehrere Arten des GenusLegionella wurdenin vitro auf ihre Wirkung gegenüber menschlichen peripheren mononukleären Zellen geprüft. Nach langfristiger Inkubation mit Suspensionen reiner mononukleärer Zellen induzierten alle untersuchten Stämme die Bildung von Faktoren mit starker prokoagulatorischer Aktivität (Gewebefaktor). Dieser Effekt war abhängig von der Anzahl von Bakterien. Prokoagulatorische Aktivität war auch dann zu beobachten, wenn die Bakterien mit Citrat-Vollblut zusammengebracht wurden.Escherichia coli 0111:B4 wies eine denLegionella-Stämmen vergleichbare Aktivität auf,Staphylococcus aureus war hingegen sehr viel schwächer wirksam. Möglicherweise trägt Endotoxin-ähnliche Substanz in der äußeren Membran der Zellwand vonLegionella zur Stimulation der mononukleären Zellen bei. Der Gewebefaktor ist ein starker Aktivator der Blutgerinnung; der Nachweis seiner Bildung in mononukleären Zellen dürfte den Pathomechanismus der Aktivierung der intravasalen Gerinnung bei schwerer Legionellose aufklären helfen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare, I-70124, Bari

    G. Miragliotta,  N. Semeraro,  L. Marcuccio &  D. Fumarold

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  1. G. Miragliotta
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  2. N. Semeraro
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  3. L. Marcuccio
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  4. D. Fumarold
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Miragliotta, G., Semeraro, N., Marcuccio, L. et al. Legionella pneumophila and related organisms induce the generation of procoagulant activity by peripheral mononuclear cells in vitro. Infection 10, 215–218 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666913

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