Characterization of an Axenic Strain of 'Hartmannella vermiformis' Obtained froman Investigation of Nosocomial Legionellosis

摘要

A free living amoeba identified as Hartmannella vermiformis was isolated from awater sample obtained during an investigation of nosocomial legionellosis. Hartmannella vermiformis are known to support the intracellular multiplication of Legionella pneumophila. This strain of H. vermiformis, designed CDC-19, was cloned and established in axenic culture, in order to develop a model for the study of the pathogenicity of legionellae. Isoenzyme patterns of axenically cultivated strain CDC-19 were compared with 2 strains of H. vermiformis derived from the type strain, one axenic (ATCC 50236) and the other grown in the presence of bacteria (ATCC 30966). Enzyme patterns suggested that all 3 strains are assignable to the species Hartmannella vermiformis. Axenic H. vermiformis strain CDC-19 has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC 50237) and should prove useful in the study of protozoan-bacterial interaction. (Copyright (c) 1990 American Society of Protozoologists.)