Journal of Infection and Public Health
Volume 2, Issue 4 , Pages 184-188, 2009

A combined molecular typing approach does not discriminate Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 strains of a predominant sequence-based type in Palermo, Italy

  • Celestino Bonura

      Affiliations

    • Section of Microbiology, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University, Palermo, Italy
    • ,
  • Caterina Mammina

      Affiliations

    • Section of Hygiene, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University, Via del Vespro 133, I-90127 Palermo, Italy
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +39 0916553623; fax: +39 0916553641.
    • ,
  • Antonietta Vella

      Affiliations

    • Section of Microbiology, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University, Palermo, Italy
    • ,
  • Santina Belfiore

      Affiliations

    • Public Health Laboratory, Azienda Sanitaria Locale 6, Palermo, Italy
    • ,
  • Alfredo Chiarini

      Affiliations

    • Section of Microbiology, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University, Palermo, Italy
    • ,
  • Anna Giammanco

      Affiliations

    • Section of Microbiology, Department of Sciences for Health Promotion “G. D’Alessandro”, University, Palermo, Italy

Received 7 July 2009; received in revised form 7 September 2009; accepted 10 September 2009.

Summary 

The sequence-based type 1,4,3,1,1,1 of Legionella pneumophila sg.1 is predominant in the Palermo city environment since several years. In this study, extended sequence-based typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis were used in a combined approach in the aim to enhance discriminatory power of the molecular typing procedures. However, probably due to a common environmental reservoir and genetic stability, most of the strains circulating in the geographic area under study belong to the same clone and are, consequently, indistinguishable by molecular typing. Investigations of clinical cases and tracing to their environmental source require caution and support from sound epidemiological data.

Keywords: Legionella pneumophila, Molecular typing, Epidemiology, SBT, PFGE

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PII: S1876-0341(09)00064-1

doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2009.09.003

Journal of Infection and Public Health
Volume 2, Issue 4 , Pages 184-188, 2009

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