Detection of Legionella pneumophila rcp Virulence Gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction / 环境与健康杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of the rcp virulence gene of L. pneumophila. Methods Sixteen strains of Legionella pneumophila, L. dumiffii, L. bozemanii and L. Longbeachae isolated from the cooling towers of the centralized air-conditioning systems in Tianjin form 2005 to 2007 were detected by polymerase chain reaction method using L. pneumophila rcp virulence gene-specific primer according to GenBank published nucleotide sequence. Results The 900 bp rcp genetic fragment was amplified in three strains of L. pneumophila, while others not. Conclusion The rcp virulence gene-based polymerase chain reaction method for the detection of L. pneumophila has been successfully established and is the foundation for the studies of Legionella virulence.