S12: Legionella growth and survival in biofilms: Laboratory models and the environment

Outbreaks of Legionnaire’s Disease continue to occur nearly 40 years after identification of its etiologic agent. In nearly all cases, the source is aerosolized Legionella species from man-made structures (air conditioning units, cooling towers, dental unit water lines, showers, and hot tub spas).  Although commonly found in these environments, Legionella’s unique requirements for replication make it difficult to reliably study with traditional laboratory models using only bacterial species.   Legionella are frequently found in biofilms comprised of other non-pathogenic organisms, a condition which enhances their survival despite antimicrobial treatments.  Laboratory studies of Legionella biofilms are useful for researchers to better understand the growth of this pathogen and to test antimicrobials that might be applied in these structures to help reduce the risk of transmission and infection.  This presentation will briefly review laboratory models used to study Legionella pneumophila and present data from recent work at the Center for Biofilm Engineering in developing a model to test antimicrobial efficacy against Legionella.