Fine structure of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium. In-vitro and in-vivo studies of four isolates.

Abstract

We obtained four bacterial isolates from patients with Legionnaires' disease and examined them for in-vitro and in-vivo fine-structure characteristics. All isolates had an outer membrane, cytoplasmic membrane, and intracellular membrane structure. Numerous intracellular inclusions were seen, particularly from in-vivo specimens, and appeared membrane-limited. Fine-structure analysis did not reveal the presence of a definitive peptidoglycan structure. Isolation, purification, and chemical analysis of Legionnaires' disease bacterium pepdoglycan established molar ratios of alanine-glutamic acid and muramic acid-glucosamine. Diaminopimelic acid was absent in the Legionnaires' disease bacterium peptidoglycan. The Kellenberger procedure for fixation appears to be the best method for the fine-structure determination of Legionnaires' disease bacteria.

• Authors: J A Keel, W R Finnerty, J C Feeley
• Journal: Annals of internal medicine (Ann Intern Med) Vol. 90 Issue 4 Pg. 652-5 (Apr 1979) ISSN: 0003-4819 [Print] United States
• PMID: 219738 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glutamates
• Muramic Acids
• Peptidoglycan
• Diaminopimelic Acid
• Glucosamine
• Alanine

Topics

• Alanine (analysis)
• Animals
• Bacteria (analysis, isolation & purification, ultrastructure)
• Cell Membrane (ultrastructure)
• Cell Wall (analysis)
• Diaminopimelic Acid (analysis)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Glucosamine (analysis)
• Glutamates (analysis)
• Guinea Pigs
• Humans
• Inclusion Bodies (ultrastructure)
• Intracellular Membranes (ultrastructure)
• Legionnaires' Disease (microbiology)
• Muramic Acids (analysis)
• Peptidoglycan (analysis)
• Spleen (microbiology)