Strain-Level Characterization of Environmental Isolates of Legionella via MALDI-TOF-MS

摘要

As a waterborne environmental pathogen of increasing concern, techniques for cost-effective andrnrapid characterization of Legionella are vital, thus demonstrating the relevancy of research aimed atrnimproving Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDITOF-rnMS) analysis methodology for this microbe. In this study, MALDI-TOF-MS was applied tornperform strain-level characterization of environmental Legionella isolates from central Arizona. Twentyeightrn(28) environmental Legionella isolates originating from two separate drinking water distributionrnsystems were analyzed. Multiple species were detected and strain-level characterization was achieved,rnwith 12 putative unique strains characterized, with L. pneumophila being the most common speciesrnidentified. In addition, cluster analysis grouped isolates based on sampling site and was able to identifyrnindividual strains disseminated throughout multiple points in a system. These results demonstrate thernpotential for this technique to be applied for sub-species characterization of Legionella with significantrnbenefits over established methodologies.