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Pittsburgh pneumonia agent: direct isolation from human lung tissue
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|June 1, 1980
Summary
A new bacterium, Pittsburgh pneumonia agent (PPA), now named Legionella pittsburgensis, was identified. This organism causes pneumonia and can be cultured on specific media, differentiating it from Legionella pneumophila.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Bacteriology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The Pittsburgh pneumonia agent (PPA) was previously isolated from infected egg yolk.
- PPA shares some growth and fatty acid characteristics with Legionella species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further characterize and identify the Pittsburgh pneumonia agent (PPA).
- To determine if PPA represents a new species within the Legionella genus.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of PPA on charcoal yeast extract agar and buffered charcoal yeast extract agar.
- Isolation of PPA from infected egg yolk and human lung tissue.
- Analysis of genetic relatedness, antigenic composition, and colonial morphology.
- Comparison of growth requirements and fatty acid composition with known Legionella species.
Main Results:
- PPA was successfully isolated from both egg yolk and human lung tissue using selective media.
- PPA demonstrated distinct genetic relatedness, antigenic composition, and colonial morphology compared to Legionella pneumophila.
- Growth requirements and fatty acid profiles were similar to other Legionella species, but with key differences.
Conclusions:
- The distinct characteristics of PPA warrant its classification as a new species.
- The proposed name for this novel species is Legionella pittsburgensis.