Legionella, Protozoa, and Biofilms: Interactions Within Complex Microbial Systems

Taylor, Michael, Ross, Kirstin E and Bentham, Richard (2009) Legionella, Protozoa, and Biofilms: Interactions Within Complex Microbial Systems. Microbial Ecology.

[img] PDF
Taylor%20et%20al%202009%20Legionella%20protozoa%20interactions[1].pdf
Restricted to Registered users only

Download (6MB)

Abstract

Currently, the investigation of Legionella ecology falls into two distinct areas of research activity: (1) that Legionella multiply within water sources by parasitizing amoebic or ciliate hosts or (2) that Legionella grows extracellularly within biofilms. Less focus has been given to the overlaps that may occur between these two areas or the likelihood that Legionella employs multiple survival strategies to persist in water sources. It is likely that Legionella interacts with protozoa, bacteria, algae, fungi, etc., and biofilm components in a more complex fashion than multiplication or death due to the presence or absence of single components of these complex microbial systems. This paper addresses gaps that exist in the understanding of Legionella ecology and serves to pinpoint areas of future research. To assume that only one other class of organism is important to Legionella ecology may limit our understanding of how this bacterium proliferates in heated water sources and also limit our strategies for its control in the built environment.

Item Type: Article
Field of Research (2008): 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111705 Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety
06 Biological Sciences > 0605 Microbiology > 060504 Microbial Ecology
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Date Deposited: 20 Aug 2009 17:01
Last Modified: 14 Feb 2011 15:32
URI: https://eprints.batchelor.edu.au/id/eprint/43

Actions (login required)

View Item
View Item