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Legionella is a genus of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria that includes the species L. pneumophila, causing legionellosis including a pneumonia-type illness called Legionnaires' disease and a mild flu-like illness called Pontiac fever.
Acanthamoeba is a genus of amoebae that are commonly recovered from soil, fresh water, and other habitats. Acanthamoeba has two evolutive forms, the metabolically active trophozoite and a dormant, stress-resistant cyst. Trophozoites are small, usually 15 to 25 μm in length and amoeboid in shape. In nature, Acanthamoeba species are free-living bacterivores, but in certain situations, they can cause infections (acanthamebiasis) in humans and other animals.
Legionella pneumophila is a thin, aerobic, pleomorphic, flagellated, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative bacterium of the genus Legionella. L. pneumophila is the primary human pathogenic bacterium in this group and is the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, also known as legionellosis.
Legionella longbeachae is one species of the family Legionellaceae. It was first isolated from a patient in Long Beach, California. It is found predominantly in potting soil and compost. In humans, the infection is sometimes called Pontiac fever. Human infection from L. longbeachae is particularly common in Australia, but cases have been documented in other countries including the United States, Japan, Greece and the UK.
An opportunistic infection is an infection caused by pathogens that take advantage of an opportunity not normally available. These opportunities can stem from a variety of sources, such as a weakened immune system, an altered microbiome, or breached integumentary barriers. Many of these pathogens do not necessarily cause disease in a healthy host that has a non-compromised immune system, and can, in some cases, act as commensals until the balance of the immune system is disrupted. Opportunistic infections can also be attributed to pathogens which cause mild illness in healthy individuals but lead to more serious illness when given the opportunity to take advantage of an immunocompromised host.
Waterborne diseases are conditions caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. These diseases can be spread while bathing, washing, drinking water, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water. They are a pressing issue in rural areas amongst developing countries all over the world. While diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of waterborne illness, other symptoms can include skin, ear, respiratory, or eye problems. Lack of clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are major causes for the spread of waterborne diseases in a community. Therefore, reliable access to clean drinking water and sanitation is the main method to prevent waterborne diseases.
Pathogenic bacteria are bacteria that can cause disease. This article focuses on the bacteria that are pathogenic to humans. Most species of bacteria are harmless and are often beneficial but others can cause infectious diseases. The number of these pathogenic species in humans is estimated to be fewer than a hundred. By contrast, several thousand species are part of the gut flora present in the digestive tract.
Copper-silver ionization is a disinfection process, primarily used to control Legionella, the bacteria responsible for Legionnaires' disease. There is strong evidence that treating water supplies in hospitals with this technique decreases the risk.
Legionella oakridgensis is a Gram-negative bacterium from the genus Legionella which was isolated from industrial cooling tower waters. It is pathogenic.
Legionella bozemanae is a Gram-negative bacterium in the family Legionellaceae. Its type strain is WIGA. It is associated with human pneumonia.
Legionella cherrii is an aerobic, flagellated, Gram-negative bacterium from the genus Legionella. It was isolated from a heated water sample in Minnesota. L. cherrii is similar to another Legionella species, L. pneumophila, and is believed to cause major respiratory problems.
Legionella gormanii is a Gram-negative bacterium from the genus Legionella which was isolated from soil samples from a creek bank in Atlanta and from the bronchial brush specimen of a patient who suffered from pneumonia. L. gormanii can cause atypical pneumonia together with L. pneumophila.
Legionella jordanis is a Gram-negative bacterium from the genus Legionella which was isolated from the Jordan River in Bloomington, Indiana and from the sewage in DeKalb County, Georgia. L. jordanis is a rare human pathogen and can cause respiratory tract infections.
Candidatus Legionella jeonii is a candidatus species of bacteria from the genus Legionella. Previously known as X-bacterium, Candidatus Legionella jeonii grows symbiotically in Amoeba proteus. This endosymbiotic relationship was first noticed by Kwang Jeon and Joan Lorch in 1966.
Legionella sainthelensi is a Gram-negative, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming, motile bacterium from the genus Legionella which was isolated from fresh water in regions influenced by the volcanic eruptions of Mount St. Helens in Washington. L. sainthelensi can cause infection in the respiratory tract.
Legionnaires' disease is a form of atypical pneumonia caused by any species of Legionella bacteria, quite often Legionella pneumophila. Signs and symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, high fever, muscle pains, and headaches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur. This often begins 2–10 days after exposure.
Legionella clemsonensis was isolated in 2006, but was described in 2016 by Clemson University researchers. It is a Gram-negative bacterium.
Climate change is expected to increase the severity of most meteorological conditions which will in turn increase the infection area and seasonal duration of waterborne diseases. Climate change, and its effects are already being seen around the globe in warmer water, drought, higher rainfall, and flooding. Related changes in waterborne diseases are already being documented globally and are expected to increase, not only in developing countries but also in already developed countries. Extreme precipitation, storm surges, and flooding are already on the rise due to climate change. These present a large risk to current system capacities and could lead to disruption or failure in the infrastructure. The current trend shows a positive correlation between waterborne diseases and meteorological conditions changing due to climate change.
Michele S. Swanson is an American biologist who is a Professor of Microbiology at the University of Michigan. She has investigated the water-borne pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Swanson is interested in the metabolic cues that underpin the virulence of L. pneumophila and how it is transmitted to humans. She served as President of the American Society for Microbiology in 2018.
References
- ↑ Heuner K, Swanson M (editors). (2008). Legionella: Molecular Microbiology. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-26-4.
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