Abstract
This study investigated whether Vermamoeba vermiformis and Legionella spp., co-habited within an established, mature biofilm of a simulated laboratory dental-unit waterline (sDUWL) and if this amoebic vector supported the life cycle of Legionella pneumophila. Trophozoites of V. vermiformis, isolated in a previous study, were cultured on a natural mixed biofilm bacterial culture and a pure culture of an avirulent, L. pneumophila (non-Sgp1strain ST707) as food sources. Vermamoeba did not show a preference for L. pneumophila. Legionella species were isolated from the sDUWL discharge water and identified by DNA profiling using 16s bacterial rDNA primers as L. pneumophila subsp. pascullei strain U8W. Electron microscopy was performed to establish whether V. vermiformis was acting as a carrier, whilst within the biofilm, for Legionella species isolated from the sDUWL water. Ultrastructure failed to demonstrate vast numbers of any bacteria within the cytoplasm of V. vermiformis that emerged from the same heterogeneous biofilm organisms. These results were taken to indicate that Vermamoeba was unable to propagate either of the Legionella strains studied.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
