Research Article
Amin A Al-Sulami, Asaad MR Al-
Abstract
This study was designed to determining the ability of six Aeromonas spp. isolated from different water sources (sanitation plants, water distribution systems, and Reverse Osmosis water) to inhibit the growth of Legionella pneumophila serotype 1 -15, from the same sources, in vitro. Eighteen isolates of 6 Aeromonas spp. were tested for their ability to inhibiting the growth of six isolates of L. pneumophila serotype1-15.The interactions between L. pneumophila and Aeromonas spp. were investigated by using cells from broth culture and as solid culture and cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of the latter on the growth of the former on the LAB medium. Results showed that A. schubertii, A. encheleia and A. hydrophila supernatant, cells and solid cultures have the ability to inhibiting the growth of L. pneumophila serotypes 1 and 2-15. While all tested Aeromonas spp. inhibited both L. pneumophila serotypes, when directly inoculated or transferred as ready grown solid culture. The results indicated that growth and multiplication of L. pneumophila could be inhibited by other bacteria sharing the same habitat and the level of this effect varies among the species. The presence of Aeromonas spp. and L. pneumophila in drinking water can be an important threat to public health, thus greater awareness of these bacteria as potential enteropathogens is warranted.