B La Scola1, D Raoult. 1. Unité des Rickettsies, UPRESA 6020, Faculté de médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, 27 Boulevard Jean Moulin, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Coxiella burnetti is able to survive within free-living amoeba. METHODS: When C. burnetii was co-cultivated with the free-living amoeba species Acanthamoeba castellanii. RESULTS: Viable bacteria were detected for 18 days. Microscopic studies confirmed the presence of bacteria within vacuoles, some of which appeared to be spore-like forms. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that free-living amoebae could provide an intracellular niche for the spore formation and survival of C. burnetii in the environment.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Coxiella burnetti is able to survive within free-living amoeba. METHODS: When C. burnetii was co-cultivated with the free-living amoeba species Acanthamoeba castellanii. RESULTS: Viable bacteria were detected for 18 days. Microscopic studies confirmed the presence of bacteria within vacuoles, some of which appeared to be spore-like forms. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that free-living amoebae could provide an intracellular niche for the spore formation and survival of C. burnetii in the environment.
Authors: Paul A Beare; Nathan Unsworth; Masako Andoh; Daniel E Voth; Anders Omsland; Stacey D Gilk; Kelly P Williams; Bruno W Sobral; John J Kupko; Stephen F Porcella; James E Samuel; Robert A Heinzen Journal: Infect Immun Date: 2008-12-01 Impact factor: 3.441