Researchers at the Chemical Genomics Center of the Max Planck Society in Munich have promising results from their study of legionella infections. Legionellosis, the process of infection by legionella bacteria, is a particularly evasive infection. The body’s typical immune response involves ‘eating up’ foreign intruders such as bacteria and viruses in a process known as autophagy, ultimately preventing the onset of diseases and infections. A molecule known as LC3-PE is responsible for this process. Legionella bacteria has been found to contain a molecule, called RavZ, that disrupts the actions of LC3-PE and ultimately allows legionella bacteria to propagate within the body,…
A man in his 50s has died from Legionnaires’ disease that he contracted while using a hot spring in Mihara, Hiroshima. He is thought to have visited the facility in early March and was hospitalized with pneumonia like symptoms including shortness of breath and fever shortly after. In addition to the deceased man, 39 people who have all visited the “Miharashi Onsen” hot spring have also been experiencing pneumonia-like symptoms. Of the 39 people, in ages ranging from 30-80, 37 have been hospitalized with two in serious condition. Legionella pneumophila has been detected in all of the people complaining of…
The VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System has extended water restrictions due to the discovery of Legionella bacteria at its University Drive location. In late January water restrictions were enacted to kill the bacteria in Building 1. Those restrictions have been extended to ensure the water supply has time to sanitize while the sample testing is being repeated. A patient of the Pittsburgh VA was diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia in February and has since been treated. The patient had visited the campus during the 10 day onset of the illness as an outpatient. “At this time, evidence suggests the patient contracted Legionella…
Researchers the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine are currently working on a project to develop single-celled organisms that seek out and kill potentially deadly bacteria. The team was inspired by amoebas that have been known to surround and kill yeast bacteria and develop ‘soldier cells’ out of these amoebas. Using a $5 million dollar grant from DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the team is first focusing on making these cells target Legionella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. If the project is successful, the possible applications outside of the laboratory are exciting. These amoeba soldiers could be used…
The New York State Health Department has implemented mandatory testing within hospitals and nursing homes. These tests are for the presence of Legionella within cooling towers and drinking water systems, and the results are to be reported to state health officials. The results of these tests performed at Cortland Regional Medical Center this fall were positive for the presence of Legionella bacteria. However, in a statement the medical center indicated there are no confirmed cases of hospital-acquired Legionella in association with these bacteria. Since the bacteria’s discovery, temporary water sources were implemented where needed, and more permanent ionization units have…
The Kingsway nursing home in Schenectady, New York conducted routine and mandated testing for the presence of Legionella bacteria. On November 23, 2016, the results indicated that 30 percent of the water samples were positive for non-pneumonic Legionella. The facility flushed the pipes with scalding hot water (160 degrees) to kill off the bacteria momentarily while it arranges for a long-term solution. The strain of Legionella found at the facility is not typically responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, but could possibly cause pneumonia or other illnesses. New York State regulations require that nursing homes test their potable water and report results if…