The pathogens Legionella pneumophila and Listeria monocytogenes are naturally occurring human pathogens whose ability to cause disease outbreaks has been enhanced by human activity. L. pneumophila is the waterborne pathogen primarily responsible for causing both Pontiac Fever and Legionnaire’s Disease in humans; it colonizes plumbing and HVAC systems, leading to disease usually concentrated around a single building of ship. L. monocytogenes is a pathogen responsible for listeriosis, which is often simply labeled food poisoning; it is generally a soilborne pathogen which contaminates improperly cleaned and packaged food products. L. pneumophila outbreaks have been increasing in frequency in the past decade without an accompanying decrease in fatality, caused in part by the difficulty of culturing this species. L. monocytogenes outbreaks are likely underreported as most cases of food poisoning are not attributed to a specific pathogen. In both instances these pathogens are a threat to human health, particularly that of our youngest and eldest members. The elderly are vulnerable to both pathogens simply due to their advanced age, but L. pneumophila has a much higher deathrate among this population. L. monocytogenes poses the bigger threat to unborn children, causing life-threatening complications to pregnancies. More rapid identification of both bacterial species would enable more targeted treatment and a faster investigation of the source. New PCR primers were designed for both pathogens and tested for sensitivity and specificity with High-Resolution Melt (HRM) assays and agarose gel electrophoresis. Both primer sets were found to be sensitive and specific as single assays and the L. pneumophila primers were able to be multiplexed as both a duplex and triplex.

Kelly Elkins

Appearances