This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hébert, G A Articles by Ewing, E P Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hébert, G A Articles by Ewing, E P, Jr

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Clin Microbiol. 1984 February; 19(2): 116-121

Comparison of Legionella pneumophila, L. micdadei, L. bozemanii, and L. dumoffii by transmission electron microscopy.

ABSTRACT

Clinical isolates of Legionella pneumophila, L. micdadei, L. bozemanii, and L. dumoffii were grown on charcoal-yeast extract agar from a living-medium inoculum and prepared for transmission electron microscopy by three different methods. Cells of all four Legionella species possessed cytoplasmic vacuoles, a gram-negative type of cell envelope with a dense peptidoglycan-like layer, a ruthenium red-positive polysaccharide capsule, and a single subpolar flagellum. The dense polysaccharide capsule seen on cells of L. micdadei was separated from the outer membrane by an extra layer of electron-lucent material that was not present on cells of the other species examined.