OBJECTIVE: To study the role of amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria as infecting agents in intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria were isolated from water samples taken from ICU taps and general hospital reservoir tanks using an amoebal co-culture procedure. Isolates were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison, and one isolate of each species was used as an antigen in a microimmunofluorescence assay to test the sera of the patients in the ICUs and compare them with those of control subjects. SETTING: The four university hospitals in Marseilles, France. PATIENTS: The sera of 85 patients in the ICUs with nosocomial pneumonia were tested. RESULTS: We isolated 64 bacterial strains that were identified as Afipia species or close relatives within the Rhizobiaceae subgroup of alpha Proteobacteria. These bacteria were assigned to 8 different species. Eleven patients were found to have an elevated antibody titer to either Afipia genospecies 1, or 3 still unnamed bacteria. No specific antibodies were detected in 100 control subjects (P < .01). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results support the hypothesis that ICU patients are exposed to amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria.
OBJECTIVE: To study the role of amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria as infecting agents in intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN: Amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria were isolated from water samples taken from ICU taps and general hospital reservoir tanks using an amoebal co-culture procedure. Isolates were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison, and one isolate of each species was used as an antigen in a microimmunofluorescence assay to test the sera of the patients in the ICUs and compare them with those of control subjects. SETTING: The four university hospitals in Marseilles, France. PATIENTS: The sera of 85 patients in the ICUs with nosocomial pneumonia were tested. RESULTS: We isolated 64 bacterial strains that were identified as Afipia species or close relatives within the Rhizobiaceae subgroup of alpha Proteobacteria. These bacteria were assigned to 8 different species. Eleven patients were found to have an elevated antibody titer to either Afipia genospecies 1, or 3 still unnamed bacteria. No specific antibodies were detected in 100 control subjects (P < .01). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results support the hypothesis that ICU patients are exposed to amoeba-associated alpha Proteobacteria.
Authors: Reza Zolfaghari Emameh; Harlan R Barker; Martti E E Tolvanen; Seppo Parkkila; Vesa P Hytönen Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2016-03-16 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Sabri Bousbia; Laurent Papazian; Pierre Saux; Jean-Marie Forel; Jean-Pierre Auffray; Claude Martin; Didier Raoult; Bernard La Scola Journal: PLoS One Date: 2013-03-01 Impact factor: 3.240