Preferential colonization and release of Legionella pneumophila from mature drinking water biofilms grown on copper versus unplasticized polyvinylchloride coupons

Buse, Helen Y.; Lu, Jingrang; Struewing, Ian; Ashbolt, Nicholas J.

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.04.005

Cited by 44 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Six Center for disease control (CDC) biofilm reactors were set up as previously described (Buse et al ., ). Briefly, three reactors containing copper (Cu) or unplasticized polyvinylchloride (uPVC) coupons (surface area of 1.27 cm 2 ) were fed with ambient (20.8 ± 1.6 °C) DW that was held in a light‐protected storage tank (23 L) to allow for natural dechlorination and fed at 40 mL h −1 (10 h hydraulic resident time) using a peristaltic pump and Norprene ™ food‐grade tubing waste line.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…DNA was extracted from biofilm suspensions using the T&C buffer and MasterPure Complete DNA Purification Kit ™ (Epicentre Biotechnologies) as described previously (Buse et al ., ). The 16S rRNA gene V4‐V6 region and 18S rRNA gene V1‐V3 region were amplified with universal bacterial primers B530F and B1100R [modified from (Turner et al ., )] and universal eukaryotic primer Euk1aF and Euk516R [modified from (Sogin & Gunderson, ; Amann et al ., )], respectively.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Buse et al . showed that Lp colonized mature, DW biofilms grown on copper (Cu) more effectively and shed from those biofilms at a higher frequency and duration compared to unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC)‐grown biofilms, suggesting that DW biofilm microorganisms may have an impact on the colonization of water‐based pathogens (Buse et al ., ). Hence, identifying the taxonomic structure of these prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbial communities is crucial to understanding the ecological niches that are permissive to environmental pathogen development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper

Buse

Lü

et al. 2014

FEMS Microbiol Ecol

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Drinking water (DW) biofilm communities influence the survival of opportunistic pathogens, yet knowledge about the microbial composition of DW biofilms developed on common in-premise plumbing material is limited. Utilizing 16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, this study characterized the microbial community structure within DW biofilms established on unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) and copper (Cu) surfaces and the impact of introducing Legionella pneumophila (Lp) and Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Mature (> 1 year old) biofilms were developed before inoculation with sterilized DW (control, Con), Lp, or Lp and A. polyphaga (LpAp). Comparison of uPVC and Cu biofilms indicated significant differences between bacterial (P = 0.001) and eukaryotic (P < 0.01) members attributable to the unique presence of several family taxa: Burkholderiaceae, Characeae, Epistylidae, Goniomonadaceae, Paramoebidae, Plasmodiophoridae, Plectidae, Sphenomonadidae, and Toxariaceae within uPVC biofilms; and Enterobacteriaceae, Erythrobacteraceae, Methylophilaceae, Acanthamoebidae, and Chlamydomonadaceae within Cu biofilms. Introduction of Lp alone or with A. polyphaga had no effect on bacterial community profiles (P > 0.05) but did affect eukaryotic members (uPVC, P < 0.01; Cu, P = 0.001). Thus, established DW biofilms host complex communities that may vary based on substratum matrix and maintain consistent bacterial communities despite introduction of Lp, an environmental pathogen.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper

Buse

Lü

et al. 2014

FEMS Microbiol Ecol

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Researchers have also suggested that Legionella might preferentially colonize biofilms and detach more readily on copper surfaces. 186 The conflicting results indicate that more variables and complex interactions between them may be at play, and future research is needed to discern these. However, it is unclear whether these metal levels will provide long-term protection against Legionella growth since there is evidence that copper levels are positivity correlated with disinfectant loss.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ten questions concerning the aerosolization and transmission of Legionella in the built environment

Prussin

Schwake

Marr

2017

Building and Environment

101

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Legionella is a genus of pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria responsible for a serious disease known as legionellosis, which is transmitted via inhalation of this pathogen in aerosol form. There are two forms of legionellosis: Legionnaires' disease, which causes pneumonia-like symptoms, and Pontiac fever, which causes influenza-like symptoms. Legionella can be aerosolized from various water sources in the built environment including showers, faucets, hot tubs/swimming pools, cooling towers, and fountains. Incidence of the disease is higher in the summertime, possibly because of increased use of cooling towers for air conditioning systems and differences in water chemistry when outdoor temperatures are higher. Although there have been decades of research related to Legionella transmission, many knowledge gaps remain. While conventional wisdom suggests that showering is an important source of exposure in buildings, existing measurements do not provide strong support for this idea. There has been limited research on the potential for Legionella transmission through heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Epidemiological data suggest a large proportion of legionellosis cases go unreported, as most people who are infected do not seek medical attention. Additionally, controlled laboratory studies examining water-to-air transfer and source tracking are still needed. Herein, we discuss ten questions that spotlight current knowledge about Legionella transmission in the built environment, engineering controls that might prevent future disease outbreaks, and future research that is needed to advance understanding of transmission and control of legionellosis.

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“…Copper/silver ionization is often used to control Legionella in large recirculating water systems, particularly industrial plumbing, but its effectiveness is controversial [3–6]. Some studies indicate that high levels of copper inhibit Legionella growth and survival, but others have demonstrated increased persistence of Legionella in biofilms formed on copper [7]. Legionella also demonstrates increased resistance to copper at lower temperatures [8–9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Legionella pneumophila GIG operon responds to gold and copper in planktonic and biofilm cultures

et al. 2017

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Legionella pneumophila contaminates man-made water systems and creates numerous exposure risks for Legionnaires’ Disease. Because copper/silver ionization is commonly used to control L. pneumophila, its mechanisms of metal response and detoxification are of significant interest. Here we describe an L. pneumophila operon with significant similarity to the GIG operon of Cupriavidus metallidurans. The Legionella GIG operon is present in a subset of strains and has been acquired as part of the ICE-βox 65-kB integrative conjugative element. We assessed GIG promoter activity following exposure of L. pneumophila to multiple concentrations of HAuCl4, CuSO4 and AgNO3. At 37°C, control stationary phase cultures exhibited GIG promoter activity. This activity increased significantly in response to 20 and 50uM HAuCl4 and CuSO4 but not in response to AgNO3. Conversely, at 26°C, cultures exhibited decreased promoter response to copper. GIG promoter activity was also induced by HAuCl4 or CuSO4 during early biofilm establishment at both temperatures. When an L. pneumophila GIG promoter construct was transformed into E. coli DH5α, cultures showed baseline expression levels that did not increase following metal addition. Analysis of L. pneumophila transcriptional regulatory mutants suggested that GIG up-regulation in the presence of metal ions may be influenced by the stationary phase sigma factor, RpoS.

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Preferential colonization and release of Legionella pneumophila from mature drinking water biofilms grown on copper versus unplasticized polyvinylchloride coupons

Cited by 44 publications

References 28 publications

Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper

Microbial diversities (16S and 18S rRNA gene pyrosequencing) and environmental pathogens within drinking water biofilms grown on the common premise plumbing materials unplasticized polyvinylchloride and copper

Ten questions concerning the aerosolization and transmission of Legionella in the built environment

The Legionella pneumophila GIG operon responds to gold and copper in planktonic and biofilm cultures

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