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. 1984 Feb;19(2):116–121. doi: 10.1128/jcm.19.2.116-121.1984

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

G A Hébert, C S Callaway, E P Ewing Jr
PMCID: PMC270998  PMID: 6699139

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.

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Selected References

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