Legionnaire's disease incidence in the US has increased over the last two decades, primarily driven by rising temperatures, precipitation, and road traffic exposure. The study suggests that warming temperatures and increased exposure to the soil-dwelling Legionella bacteria are likely contributing factors to this increase.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered that Legionella bacteria use a protein called RomA to manipulate the host's epigenetic landscape, allowing it to survive and multiply. However, this manipulation is also subject to the host's rules, revealing a complex two-way conversation between host and pathogen.
A joint study by several institutions analyzed the relationship between climatic conditions, Legionella presence, and Legionnaires' disease cases in Catalonia. The results show that rising temperatures create ideal conditions for Legionella to multiply, increasing disease incidence.
A study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases found that delafloxacin inhibits Legionella replication more effectively than levofloxacin. The antibiotic demonstrates promising intracellular activity, which could support further clinical investigation as a potential treatment for Legionnaires' disease.
Griffith University research found Legionella prevalence stable but L. longbeachae increased in soil, posing risk to vulnerable individuals through gardening and potting soil use. The study emphasizes the importance of awareness and preventive measures to minimize exposure.
A new study suggests that routine monitoring of water quality factors, such as pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity, can help predict the growth of Legionella bacteria and prevent outbreaks in healthcare settings. The approach has been shown to be reliable and more accurate than conventional statistical methods.
Research from an interdisciplinary team at Virginia Tech has shown that sewage surveillance is more efficient and comprehensive than testing individuals in detecting antimicrobial resistance. The study revealed significant correlations between antibiotic resistance genes and socio-economic factors, highlighting the need to address thes...
A study analyzing 5.5 million EU/EEA infectious disease cases over 10 years found significant sex differences in notified male versus female cases for several diseases. The proportion of males ranged from 40-45% for pertussis and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections to 75-80% for HIV/AIDS.
A study published in Science of The Total Environment found that Legionella pneumophila bacteria can withstand thermal stress and remain viable but non-culturable. This highlights the limitations of current detection methods and emphasizes the need to consider this subpopulation in assessments.
Researchers investigate how bacteria modify host RNA using effector proteins to ensure their survival, a process previously unknown in eukaryotes. The team aims to decipher the mechanisms behind this process and its benefits for the bacteria.
A new study found Legionella bacteria in 41% of samples - with Flinders University researchers making a key connection between the pathogen's co-existence with a 'host' microorganism in all samples tested. The study highlights the need for improved management of water distribution systems to protect vulnerable populations.
A new Legionella species, Legionella bononiensis, has been identified in a hotel facility in northern Italy. The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Bologna using genetic sequencing and mass spectroscopy techniques.
A study published in PLOS Water found that office buildings with low-consumption plumbing may experience chemical and microbiological safety issues due to weekend stagnation. The research highlights the need for regular water testing in commercial buildings, even those designed as 'green' to reduce water consumption.
A novel technology has been developed for fast and reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples using a flow virometer that utilizes fluorescent light markers. The device achieved high sensitivity and specificity in a blind test on over 50 patients, outperforming commercial antigen tests.
Legionella pneumophila secretes small regulatory RNA molecules that mimic eukaryotic microRNAs, downregulating RIG-I protein to diminish host immune response and promote replication. This mechanism enables the bacterium's survival and development during infection.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that the ancestors of Legionella bacteria infected eukaryotic cells around 2 billion years ago. This finding challenges the chicken-or-egg debate about which came first, phagocytosis or mitochondria evolution.
The CDC will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted Legionnaires' disease incidence and testing, as well as introduce new control tools to reduce the risk of contraction. The conference aims to provide building owners and managers with information and methods to ensure a safe environment for tenants and visitors.
A University of Pittsburgh research team received $330K to study the effect of silver on water disinfection. The goal is to determine if silver-coated shower fixtures effectively prevent opportunistic pathogen exposure and minimize antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at Goethe University have elucidated the interaction of bacterial effectors, revealing how regulator SidJ controls virulence factors. The discovery sheds light on Legionella's ability to multiply in immune cells and offers potential strategies for inhibiting its spread.
Researchers have discovered a key toxin in the Legionella bacteria that enables its growth and infection in human cells. The toxin, SidJ, targets innate immune pathways and has a kinase fold, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
A recent study has found that endosymbionts in amoebae significantly influence the proliferation and spread of Legionella pneumophila. The researchers discovered that these bacteria weaken the infectivity of Legionella by competing for nutrients, ultimately leading to slower multiplication and reduced virulence.
A study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that showering, using sinks, and flushing toilets can expose people to Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which causes pneumonia-like disease. The researchers recommend setting a risk-based concentration limit for indoor water quality to prevent outbreaks.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt reveal atomic details of Legionella's enzymatic weapon and develop the first inhibitor. The discovery has implications for tackling antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which threaten global health and economic stability.
A new measurement chip has been developed to detect Legionella pneumophila, a deadly bacterium that causes pneumonia. The chip uses microarray analysis and can identify the specific subtype of the pathogen present within 34 minutes.
A study led by Colorado State University researchers found that a change in the city's drinking water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River likely caused the 2014-15 Legionnaires' disease outbreak. The majority of cases, estimated at 80%, were attributed to this change.
A statistical analysis found that most Legionnaires' disease cases in Flint can be attributed to the city's switch to the Flint River water source. The study also identified a specific strain of Legionella isolated from Flint residences that is not easily detectable by common diagnostic tests.
Legionella bacteria uses RavZ to disrupt autophagy machinery, evading host cells. Researchers developed semisynthetic LC3 proteins to study interaction with RavZ, identifying key binding site and mechanism of action.
Researchers found that Legionella pneumophila grows well in warm tap water installations with ample dissolved organic matter, supporting biofilm formation. The study suggests that microgram-per-liter concentrations of biodegradable compounds can induce bacterial growth on surfaces, promoting proliferation of the bacteria.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt discovered a new ubiquitination mechanism in Legionella bacteria that affects cellular processes and causes cell death. This mechanism reveals a broader role of ubiquitin in regulating life processes and may lead to new strategies for developing antibacterial agents.
Recent testing indicates that Flint drinking water quality is improving, with decreasing levels of DNA markers for Legionella. However, pathogenic forms of the bacteria were still culturable at some sampling points, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
A new study identified a population of monocyte-derived cells that play a significant role in destroying Legionella bacteria. These cells respond to the infection within 24 hours and can control the bacteria, with researchers hoping to develop new treatments to strengthen the immune system.
A new class of 'BH3-mimetic' drugs has shown promise in treating Legionella-infected cells by targeting the BCL-XL protein. This research could lead to new treatments for various bacterial infections, even those resistant to antibiotics.
A DNA study of bacteria samples from the 2012 Edinburgh outbreak found four subtypes of Legionella that probably existed at the source for months. The genetic diversity of these bacteria suggests that tracing future infections may be challenging, with possible influences on disease severity.
Windshield washer fluid has been found to be a source of Legionnaires bacteria, which can cause severe respiratory illness and pneumonia. Nearly 75% of school buses tested in Arizona were contaminated with the bacteria, highlighting the potential for automobile windshield washing systems to transmit deadly infections.
A study by the University of Strathclyde found that Legionella bacteria exist in a significant number of commercial compost products in the UK. The research suggests that the bacteria are widespread in composts and could be a source of infection, especially if proper precautions are not taken.
Scientists successfully reproduce protein recycling process, tracing Rab's extraction from lipid membrane. The study reveals GDI protein's active role in recycling Rab proteins, shedding light on disease-relevant interactions.
Researchers identified a novel component of Legionella's replication system, RidL, which disrupts an intracellular transport system needed for bacterial elimination. This allows the bacteria to survive and replicate in phagocytic cells.
A case report in The Lancet details the death of an 82-year-old woman due to Legionnaires' disease caused by contaminated dental surgery equipment. Laboratory experiments demonstrated genomic matching between the bacteria found in the patient's respiratory secretion and the dental unit waterline.
A 2010 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Wisconsin was linked to a hospital's decorative fountain, highlighting the risk of indoor water fountains in healthcare settings. The study recommends strict maintenance procedures and periodic bacteriologic monitoring to reduce the risk of Legionella transmission.
A study by Rhode Island Hospital found that current guidelines for testing patients with possible community-acquired pneumonia due to Legionella may underestimate the number of cases. The researchers suggest more comprehensive Legionella testing in patients hospitalized with pneumonia, which could identify additional cases and provide ...
A recent study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that hands-free electronic water faucets are more likely to be contaminated with Legionella bacteria compared to old-style fixtures. The study found that these new devices pose a problem in preventing Legionella infections in hospitals, despite reducing daily water consumption by over half.
A study by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that electronic faucets carry high levels of bacteria, including Legionella spp., compared to traditional manually operated faucets. The findings led to the decision to replace electronic faucets with manual ones in clinical areas.
A previously fit man contracted Legionnaire's disease after cutting his finger on compost, highlighting the risk of infection through gardening activities. The UK Royal Horticultural Society has announced cautionary statements on potting compost bags to warn gardeners about this rare but serious risk.
Researchers discovered a specific clone of bacteria responsible for most cases of Legionnaires' disease, highlighting the genetic background of Legionella pneumophila. The study found that this clone has a high prevalence in human disease due to its ability to evade host immune responses.
A new study found that environmental monitoring of institutional water systems can predict the risk of hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease. Routine testing of hospital water systems for Legionella bacteria is recommended to prevent hospital-acquired cases, which are estimated to be responsible for up to 20,000 cases a year in the US.