Comparison of liquid growth media for Legionella pneumophila

Ten liquid media were compared under standard conditions for their ability to support the growth of Legionella pneumophila. Modified gonococcal-ferric cysteine broth (without sodium chloride) supplemented with 1% yeast extract yielded the best overall growth of the one strain of L. pneumophila examined. Growth rates were independent of pH changes which occurred during incubation. The growth rates of 10 different strains of L.pneumophila were compared in this medium. There appeared to be little difference in the growth rates of strains passaged frequently or infrequently, or between environmental and clinical isolates. Moderate aeration resulted in a faster growth rate and in approximately a 1 log10 higher final cell concentration as compared to a static broth culture. These experiments demonstrate that there are moderate to marked differences among the various media described in the literature and that no liquid medium yet developed supports rapid growth of L. pneumophila incubated without shaking.