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LEGIONELLA - World Health Organization

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The interaction of virulent legionellae with phagocytic cells can be divided into several steps:<br />

• binding of microorganisms to receptors on the surface of eukaryotic cells<br />

• penetration of microorganisms into phagocytes<br />

• escape from bactericidal attack<br />

• formation of a replicative vacuole (a compartment within the cell where bacterial replication<br />

occurs)<br />

• intracellular multiplication and killing of the host cell.<br />

Legionellae have a similar life-cycle within protozoa and human macrophages; however, there<br />

are differences in the mechanisms used to enter and exit from the respective host cell types.<br />

These differences are summarized in Figure 1.1. Not all of the species of Legionella that have<br />

been studied are able to infect macrophages. However, L. pneumophila that possess the<br />

relevant virulence factors can infect and replicate within various protozoa found in soil and<br />

in water; and by replicating in this way they may become more virulent (Cianciotto, 2001).<br />

F gure . L fe-cycle of Legionella pneumophila n protozoa and human macrophages<br />

Entry in amoebae: Receptor mediated uptake<br />

Requires dot/icm<br />

Gal/GalNAc receptor<br />

Entry in macrophages: Actin dependent<br />

Requires dot/icm<br />

Replicative form<br />

Fusion with endoplasmic reticulum<br />

Source: Fields, Benson & Besser (2002) (Reproduced with permission of authors)<br />

<strong>LEGIONELLA</strong> AND THE PREVENTION OF LEGIONELLOSIS<br />

Amimo acid depletion<br />

ppGpp buildup<br />

Stationary phase<br />

Gene expression<br />

Intracellular motility<br />

Release from<br />

amoebae:<br />

Necrosis –<br />

pore formation<br />

Release from macrophages:<br />

Apoptosis<br />

Necrosis – pore formation

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