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Discovery of New Intracellular Pathogens by Amoebal Coculture and Amoebal Enrichment Approaches
Published on: October 27, 2013
Well water as a possible source of Waddlia chondrophila infections
Francesc Codony1, Mariana Fittipaldi, Esther López
1Laboratori de Microbiologia Sanitària i Mediambiental, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Edifici Gaia-Parc UPC, Rambla Sant Nebridi, 08222 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. codony@oo.upc.edu
Abstract:
Waddlia chondrophila is an emerging pathogen considered as a potential agent of abortion in humans and bovines, and is related with human respiratory disease. Despite these findings, the infection source and transmission pathways have not been identified. The evidence of growth into amoeba suggests water as a possible environmental source. The presence of Waddlia chondrophila was determined in drinking and well water samples (n=70) by quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). Positive results were observed in 10 (25%) of the 40 well samples analyzed; therefore, well water could be a potential reservoir and possible infection source of Waddlia chondrophila in animals and humans.
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