Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenia Butucel, Igori Balta, David McCleery, Cosmin Alin Popescu, Tiberiu Iancu, Ioan Pet, Adela Marcu, Nicolae-Marinel Horablaga, Lavinia Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: This study demonstrates that Citrox BCL can effectively prevent biofilm formation and reduce virulence of L. pneumophila. Sub-inhibitory concentration of Citrox BCL reduces intracellular growth and EPS production of L. pneumophila. Moreover, Citrox BCL inhibits the expression of specific genes, reducing iron sequestration and biofilm formation.
Article
Microbiology
David Otto Schwake, Absar Alum, Morteza Abbaszadegan
Summary: Legionella, an environmental pathogen causing respiratory diseases, can be transmitted from various sources due to its ability to survive in different environments. While most research focuses on cooling towers and premise plumbing, less common environments where Legionella occurs are often neglected. By summarizing studies on Legionella in different environments, this review aims to provide a resource for future researchers to investigate these pathogens in relevant sources.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tian Qin, Dahui Zhao, Li Zhu, Hongyu Ren, Yinan Li, Xinjun Liu, Xiaopeng Li, Wei Li, Na Zhao, Jiao Lu, Di Liu, Yi Shi, Min Fang, Xuefeng Duan
Summary: This study evaluated the virulence of Lp1 strains isolated from cooling tower water in different regions of China and analyzed the distribution of virulence genes and meteorological factors. The study found a certain regional and meteorological correlation between virulence and virulence gene distribution.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Courtney Marin, Ogan K. Kumova, Shira Ninio
Summary: Legionella pneumophila is a pathogen that causes severe pneumonia and can survive in the environment by forming biofilms. The gene bffA appears to play a role in regulating biofilm formation, motility, cellular replication, and virulence of L. pneumophila.
Article
Microbiology
Simona Filice, Emanuele Luigi Sciuto, Silvia Scalese, Giuseppina Faro, Sebania Libertino, Domenico Corso, Rosario Manuel Timpanaro, Pasqualina Lagana, Maria Anna Coniglio
Summary: The Legionella pneumophila contamination of water systems poses a significant risk to public health, and this research investigates the use of a new smart surface coating to combat the formation of Legionella biofilms.
Article
Microbiology
Aurelien Croze, Antoine Carlino, Benjamin Quelard, Adeline Saha, Tiphaine Convert, Jean-Baptiste Eberst, Sandrine Demaneche
Summary: The study found that Legionella non-pneumophila (Lnp) strains interact differently with various amoebae when co-cultured at different temperatures. At lower temperatures, most Lnp strains, except for L. longbeachae, were phagocytosed by amoebae and unable to multiply intracellularly. At higher temperatures, some strains were able to hijack the machinery of amoebae for proliferation, but there were also specific amoebae that could prevent their growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martina Muskovic, Iva Cavar, Andrija Lesar, Martin Loncaric, Nela Malatesti, Ivana Gobin
Summary: Three cationic tripyridylporphyrins showed different stability and singlet oxygen production in waters of varying hardness, but all demonstrated effectiveness against L. pneumophila adhesion, biofilm formation, and destruction in micromolar concentrations. However, higher water hardness generally decreased the PDI activity of all porphyrins at different biofilm growth stages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kiran Paranjape, Simon Levesque, Sebastien P. Faucher
Summary: Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, can be inhibited by certain bacterial species isolated from cooling towers. Genomic analysis of these isolates revealed a high diversity of antimicrobial genes. This study suggests that these antagonistic species could potentially be used to create an inhospitable environment for L. pneumophila and reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Bonetta, Cristina Pignata, Elisa Gasparro, Lisa Richiardi, Sara Bonetta, Elisabetta Carraro
Summary: This study investigates the impact of wastewater treatment on microbiological contamination and evaluates the potential risks associated with wastewater effluent reuse, based on new EU legislation. The results show that wastewater treatment plants equipped with membrane bioreactor (MBR) system have good abatement performance. However, effluents disinfected with chlorine dioxide (ClO2) show contamination by E. coli and Salmonella spp. Legionella spp. is also present in wastewater, highlighting the need for further investigation on aerosol formation during reuse. Molecular methods for pathogen detection in wastewater could provide a more precautionary risk estimation for reuse.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher Radziminski, Phillip White
Summary: This article presents the results of Legionella pneumophila testing in 557 cooling towers in the City of Vancouver, Canada in 2021. It reports that 30 cooling towers (5.4%) had results exceeding 10 CFU/mL, with 6 towers exceeding 1,000 CFU/mL, and Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 was identified in 17 of these towers. The data indicate a localized issue with Legionella contamination, mostly concentrated in 16 facilities, including two hospitals.
JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Maura J. Donohue, Maily Pham, Stephanie Brown, Kaveri M. Easwaran, Stephen Vesper, Jatin H. Mistry
Summary: This study investigated the detection methods of Legionella pneumophila in tap water samples in buildings across the United States and their performance under different water quality conditions. The results showed variations in method performance when using three culture methods and one molecular method. Water quality influenced the detection results of L. pneumophila, especially the total organic carbon and heterotrophic bacterial counts were positively correlated with its detection frequency. Therefore, water quality should be considered when selecting L. pneumophila detection methods.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jamie Gorzynski, Bryan Wee, Melissa Llano, Joana Alves, Ross Cameron, Jim McMenamin, Andrew Smith, Diane Lindsay, J. Ross Fitzgerald
Summary: Through whole-genome sequencing, this study investigates the evolutionary and epidemiological relationships of Legionella pneumophila isolates in Scotland over 36 years. The analysis reveals the presence of endemic clones in hospital, community, and travel-associated environments, and suggests the importance of redefining cluster and outbreak definitions. The study highlights the significance of whole-genome sequencing in real-time identification and mitigation of clinically important endemic clones.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
I. S. M. Pinel, P. M. Hankinson, D. H. Moed, L. J. Wyseure, J. S. Vrouwenvelder, M. C. M. van Loosdrecht
Summary: Experimental findings suggest that high-pH conditioning (≥9.6) can effectively control the growth of Legionella pneumophila and other pathogens in industrial cooling towers without the use of disinfectants, making the operation more environmentally friendly.
Review
Microbiology
Alexis L. Mraz, Mark H. Weir
Summary: L. pneumophila is an increasingly concerning pathogenic bacterium that poses challenges in its control and spread within plumbing systems. This systematic review summarizes research on the growth and release of L. pneumophila within host cells, as well as the impact of oxidative stress on these processes.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Valeria Iliadi, Jeni Staykova, Sergios Iliadis, Ina Konstantinidou, Polina Sivykh, Gioulia Romanidou, Daniil F. Vardikov, Dimitrios Cassimos, Theocharis G. Konstantinidis
Summary: Legionella spp. is a potentially fatal bacterium that can cause pneumonia and can be transmitted through inhalation of aerosols. It can invade various organs and cause severe manifestations, including septic shock.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Philippe Colson, Philippe Gautret, Jeremy Delerce, Herve Chaudet, Pierre Pontarotti, Patrick Forterre, Raphael Tola, Marielle Bedotto, Lea Delorme, Wahiba Bader, Anthony Levasseur, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Matthieu Million, Nouara Yahi, Jacques Fantini, Bernard La Scola, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of the French variant Marseille-4 of SARS-CoV-2 over a 10-month period, identifying two subvariants and analyzing their mutations and lifetimes. The findings suggest that beneficial mutations can initiate new outbreaks, while the accumulation of other mutations can result in the disappearance of lineages.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Nathalie Wurtz, Maelle Boussier, Louis Souville, Gwilherm Penant, Alexandre Lacoste, Philippe Colson, Bernard La Scola, Sarah Aherfi
Summary: This study aimed to find a simple method for detecting and monitoring SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater. Through evaluation and comparison of sample preservation strategies and concentration methods, an optimal protocol was identified. This protocol was successfully applied to monitor the emergence of the Omicron variant in wastewater samples from Marseille, France.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marine Makoa-Meng, Rayan Semmar, Angeline Antezack, Gwilherm Penant, Bernard La Scola, Virginie Monnet-Corti, Philippe Colson
Summary: This study aimed to detect redondoviruses in the human oral cavity and search for a potential viral host. The results showed that redondovirus DNA was detected in 46% of the 28 saliva samples, and there was a strong correlation between redondovirus DNA and E. gingivalis DNA detections in 93% of the cases. These findings strongly support the presence of redondoviruses in the human oral cavity and their association with E. gingivalis as a likely host.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Philippe Colson, Gwilherm Penant, Jeremy Delerce, Celine Boschi, Nathalie Wurtz, Marielle Bedotto, Stephanie Branger, Philippe Brouqui, Philippe Parola, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Nadim Cassir, Herve Tissot-Dupont, Matthieu Million, Sarah Aherfi, Bernard La Scola
Summary: A large outbreak of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections occurred in nonendemic countries in May 2022. DNA metagenomics using next-generation sequencing was performed on clinical samples from MPXV-infected patients diagnosed between June and July 2022. The study identified 18 MPXV genomes classified in clade IIb, lineage B.1, with four B.1 sublineages. The genomes showed a high number of mutations compared to previous genomes, including nonsynonymous mutations in genes encoding central proteins and the presence of bacterial superinfection in some patients.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Virology
Sihem Hannat, Bernard La Scola, Julien Andreani, Sarah Aherfi
Summary: Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus, the first giant virus isolated from amoeba, was discovered in 2003, opening up a new field of virology. Since then, many other giant viruses have been found, forming new families and taxonomical groups. This study aims to summarize the main features of this group of giant viruses.
Article
Microbiology
Valerie Moal, Margaux Valade, Celine Boschi, Thomas Robert, Nicolas Orain, Audrey Bancod, Sophie Edouard, Philippe Colson, Bernard La Scola
Summary: Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at high risk of severe COVID-19 and additional booster vaccinations or passive immunization are recommended to improve their protection. The study found that a significant proportion of vaccinated KTRs had poor neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with only 46% able to neutralize all five variants. Cross-neutralization was observed against Delta and Omicron variants in the majority of serum samples.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sabah El-Sawalhi, Oceane Revol, Amanda Chamieh, Alexandre Lacoste, Alexandre Annessi, Bernard La Scola, Jean-Marc Rolain, Isabelle Pagnier
Summary: This study examines the circulation of bacterial strains and their antibiotic resistance genes in the aquatic environment in Marseille, France. The importance of monitoring the frequency of these circulating bacteria in water treatments is emphasized.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Expression of Concern
Microbiology
T. Adekambi, M. Reynaud-Gaubert, G. Greub, M-J Gevaudan, B. La Scola, D. Raoult, D. Drancourt
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Expression of Concern
Microbiology
Y. Yu, M. Kowalczewska, P. Decloquement, C. Nappez, B. La Scola
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Coline Mortier, Herve Tissot-Dupont, Florian Cardona, Christiane Bruel, Salima Lahouel, Hanane Lasri, Karim Bendamardji, Celine Boschi, Philippe Parola, Matthieu Million, Philippe Colson, Philippe Brouqui, Bernard La Scola, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Nadim Cassir
Summary: In the current global outbreak of mpox, the clinical presentation is poorly specific and reinforces the importance of microbiological confirmation. Symptomatic patients who test negative for the virus should undergo a broad differential diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Virology
Philippe Colson, Bernard La Scola, Mamadou Beye, Jeremy Delerce, Didier Raoult, Jacques Fantini
Summary: The emergence of the Omicron BA.2.86 variant with 39 additional mutations in the spike protein is a major event in the genetic evolution of SARS-CoV-2. This study provides insights into the phylogeny, mutation positions and frequencies, and structural model of the spike protein in BA.2.86.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Philippe Colson, Jeremy Delerce, Jacques Fantini, Pierre Pontarotti, Bernard La Scola, Didier Raoult
Summary: By studying the distribution of stop codons in ORF8 of XBB.1.5 and non-XBB.1.5 genomes, it was found that stop codons played a significant role in the evolutionary success during the pandemic. This association of gene loss with evolutionary success is an important yet unknown biological phenomenon in virology.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Angeline Antezack, Damien Etchecopar-Etchart, Bernard La Scola, Virginie Monnet-Corti
Summary: This study investigates the association between new putative periodontal pathogens and periodontitis, finding statistically significant correlations. Further research should be conducted to explore the interspecies interaction and host-microbe crosstalk analysis of these newly identified periodontitis-associated microorganisms.
JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Virology
Lucille Claire De Maria, Philippe Colson, Aurelie Morand, Noemie Vanel, Didier Stoupan, Bernard La Scola, Celine Boschi
Summary: This article studied the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus(RSV) in university hospitals of Marseille, France, from 2020 to 2023. The results showed an atypical evolution of the RSV incidence, with a 4-month delay in the onset of the epidemic compared to previous years, and a peak in March 2021. There was a significant increase in RSV-positive cases during summer 2021, while the incidence during winter 2022 was not significantly higher compared to previous winters. The study also identified high-risk populations, including patients over 65 years old. These findings demonstrate the unpredictability of RSV infection and infectious disease epidemiology.
Article
Microbiology
Manon Boxberger, Sibylle Magnien, Angeline Antezack, Clara Rolland, Marine Makoa Meng, Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Bernard La Scola, Nadim Cassir
Summary: By studying the human skin microbiota, we isolated a new bacterium called Leucobacter manosquensis sp. nov. Marseille-Q4368 strain from the forehead of a healthy woman. This bacterium showed phenotypical and genomic differences from its closely related species.
