Evaluation of Genetic Diversity and Virulence Potential of Legionella pneumophila Isolated from Water Supply Systems of Residential Buildings in Latvia

Olga Valciņa, Daina Pūle, Juris Ķibilds, Linda Labecka, Margarita Terentjeva, Angelika Krūmiņa, Aivars Bērziņš (Corresponding Author)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
8 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Legionella is an opportunistic pathogen with a biphasic life cycle that occasionally infects humans. The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of virulence genes and genetic diversity among L. pneumophila isolated from water supply systems of residential buildings in Latvia. In total, 492 water samples from 200 residential buildings were collected. Identification of Legionella spp. was performed according to ISO 11731, and 58 isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. At least one Legionella-positive sample was found in 112 out of 200 apartment buildings (56.0%). The study revealed extensive sequence-type diversity, where 58 L. pneumophila isolates fell into 36 different sequence types. A total of 420 virulence genes were identified, of which 260 genes were found in all sequenced L. pneumophila isolates. The virulence genes enhC, htpB, omp28, and mip were detected in all isolates, suggesting that adhesion, attachment, and entry into host cells are enabled for all isolates. The relative frequency of virulence genes among L. pneumophila isolates was high. The high prevalence, extensive genetic diversity, and the wide range of virulence genes indicated that the virulence potential of environmental Legionella is high, and proper risk management is of key importance to public health.
Original languageEnglish
Article number884
JournalPathogens
Volume12
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2023

Keywords*

  • Legionella
  • residential buildings
  • virulence factors
  • virulence genes
  • sequence type

Field of Science*

  • 3.3 Health sciences

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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