LEGIONELLA AGAR BASE

Legionella is a gram-negative bacterium and is the causative agent of Legionnaires disease. Natural sources of Legionella are fresh water ponds and creeks. Transmission to humans takes place via inhalation of aerosols from cooling towers, hot water systems or fountains containing the bacteria.
Legionella Agar initially called as F-G Agar was modified by Feely et al by replacing starch by charcoal and casein hydrolysate by yeast extract which resulted in better recovery of Legionella pneumophila. Pasculle et al reported that the addition of ACES (N-2-acetamido-2-amino ethane sulphonic acid) buffer improved the nutritive value of the medium. Edelstein suggested addition of alpha-ketoglutarate to increase the sensitivity of this medium. For the isolation of Legionella species from clinical samples, homogenize the specimens in sterile distilled water, examine microscopically for Legionella by fluorescent antibody (FA) method. Inoculate FA positive cultures on Legionella Agar Base. Incubate the plates at 35?C in 90% relative humidity atmosphere. Growth usually appears in 2-3 days but continue to examine the plates daily for 14 days before discarding them.

for cultivation of Legionella species