Biotic interactions between the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila and nematode grazers in cooling tower biofilms.

Biofilms in cooling towers represent a common habitat for the human pathogen Legionella pneumophila. Within the biofilm consortium, frequent interactions with protozoa, i.e.

and Free-Living Nematodes: Environmental Co-Occurrence and Trophic Link.

Free-living nematodes harbor and disseminate various soil-borne bacterial pathogens. Whether they function as vectors or environmental reservoirs for the aquatic , the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, is unknown. A survey screening of biofilms of natural (swimming lakes) and technical (cooling towers) water habitats in Germany revealed that nematodes can act as potential reservoirs, vectors or grazers of in cooling towers.

Legionella-protozoa-nematode interactions in aquatic biofilms and influence of Mip on Caenorhabditis elegans colonization.

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaireś disease, is naturally found in aquatic habitats. The intracellular life cycle within protozoa pre-adapted the "accidental" human pathogen to also infect human professional phagocytes like alveolar macrophages. Previous studies employing the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans suggest that also nematodes might serve as a natural host for L.