FEELEY GORMAN BROTH (F.G. BROTH)

Feeley et al formulated this medium, which is used as nonselective enrichment medium for isolation of Legionella species. Legionella is a gram-negative bacterium, including species that cause legionellosis or Legionnaires’ disease, most notably L. pneumophilia. Legionella species are the causative agent of the human Legionnaires’ disease and the lesser form, Pontiac fever. Legionella transmission occurs via aerosols- inhalation of mist droplets containing the bacteria. Common sources include cooling towers, domestic hot-water systems, fountains, and similar disseminators that tap into a public water supply. Natural sources of Legionella include freshwater ponds and creeks. Person-to-person transmission of Legionella has not been demonstrated.
Legionella are nutritionally fastidious and require L-cysteine and iron salts for their growth, which are provided in the medium. Legionella species are highly pathogenic microorganisms. Certain safety precautions must be taken when handling Legionella cultures.

for the cultivation of Legionella species