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Bibliography: leaves 246-304. Describes experiments aimed at characterising the potential virilant factors of Legionella longbeachae sg 1, an important human pathogen which is responsible for nearly half of all clinical cases of Legionella related pneumonia reported each year.

Bibliography: leaves 246-304. / xi, 304, [43] leaves, [35] leaves of plates : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Describes experiments aimed at characterising the potential virilant factors of Legionella longbeachae sg 1, an important human pathogen which is responsible for nearly half of all clinical cases of Legionella related pneumonia reported each year. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, 2000

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, 2000. / Bibliography: leaves 246-304.

A prospective study of patients with pneumonia admitted to Groote Schuur Hospital took place over a one-year period in an attempt to assess the incidence of legionella pneumonia. Acute and convalescent serum samples were obtained from 113 patients. Eight patients (7,1%) showed a fourfold rise in antibody titre against Legionella pneumophila group 1 antigen by indirect immunofluorescent test (IFAT). The findings suggest that legionella pneumonia, although not common, should be considered in the aetiology of pneumonia at Groote Schuur Hospital. The results are presented and a review of the literature is undertaken.

Thesis (M.SIS)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Geographical and Environmental Studies and GISCA - The National Key Centre for Social Applications of GIS, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-120).

A virulent strain of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was established in continuous culture under defined iron-replete conditions at pH 6.9. Iron-limitation and extremes of pH (6.0 and 7.8) influenced the growth and metabolism of L. pneumophila, as manifested by increased metabolic activity, impaired energy coupling, and altered metabolic fluxes. In particular, the physiological versatility of L. pneumophila was demonstrated by a significant decrease in the iron content of biomass (6-fold increase in Yiron), coupled with reduced metabolic efficiency (Y, on), in response to iron-limited growth. Iron limitation promoted the accumulation of significant intracellular reserves of poly- ß-hydroxybutyrate (16 % cell dry wt.), which supported long-term survival of L. pneumophila under starvation conditions. Expression of the important pathogenicity factor, the zinc metalloprotease, was regulated by iron availability. Common iron acquisition mechanisms, such as siderophores and transferrin receptors, were not elaborated by iron-limited cells. However, human transferrin was identified as a potential iron source for L. pneumophila, with the zinc metalloprotease mediating transferrin digestion and possibly iron acquisition. Iron-limitation and extremes of pH also influenced cellular morphology and the surface properties of L. pneumophila, promoting the formation of uniform cultures of short rod-shaped bacteria, with altered fatty acid, phospholipid and protein composition. In addition to morphological and physiological adaptation, iron limitation had a significant effect on the virulence of L. pneumophila. Iron-replete cells grown at pH 6.9 and 6.0 were highly virulent in a guinea pig model. However, the virulence of L. pneumophila was significantly attenuated (P < 0.05) in response to iron-limited growth. This phenomenon was reversible, and correlated with reduced phagocytosis and / or reduced intracellular survival following infection. Decreasing the pH of iron-limited cultures to 6.0 did not stimulate recovery of culture virulence. Therefore, this study clearly demonstrates that environmental stresses, including iron limitation and extremes of pH, play an important role in modulating the physiology and virulence of L. pneumophila, inducing the expression of distinct phenotypes differing in their ability to persist in nature and cause infection.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Clinical Pathology))--Mahidol University, 1984.

Two species of cyanobacteria (Fischeralla sp. 29161 and Phormidium autumnale) and one species of green algae (Fritschiella tuberosa) were found to promote survival of Legionella pneumophila in mineral salts medium cocultures. During the early stage of incubation Fischerella sp. supported growth of Legionella pneumophila even though the bacteria would not grow in the algae-free basal medium.