1 research outputs found
Raman Spectroscopic Characterization of Packaged <i>L. pneumophila</i> Strains Expelled by <i>T. thermophila</i>
The intracellular lifestyle of <i>L. pneumophila</i> within
protozoa is considered to be a fundamental process that supports its
survival in nature. However, after ingesting the cells of <i>L. pneumophila</i>, some protozoa expel them as compressed live
cells in the form of small rounded pellets. The pellets of tightly
packaged viable but not culturable forms (VBNCFs) as well as highly
infectious mature intracellular forms (MIFs) of <i>L. pneumophila</i> are considered as infectious particles most likely capable to cause
human infection. Since <i>L. pneumophila</i> cells are hardly
culturable from these pellets, detection methods for packaged live <i>L. pneumophila</i> forms remaining in water should be cultivation
free. Hence, we demonstrate the potential of Raman microspectroscopy
to directly sort pellets containing <i>L. pneumophila</i> cells, expelled by <i>T. thermophila</i>, and to
characterize them on the basis of their Raman spectra