Legionellosis in animals in Israel
Cohen, A.; Boldur, I.; Tamarin-Landau, R.; Sompolinsky, D.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences 22(9): 674-677
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-2180 PMID: 3491809 Document Number: 274986
The lungs of 139 dead and 29 slaughtered calves were examined for Legionella by culture and by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with fluorescein-conjugated antisera. About 17% of the cadaver lungs and 4% of lungs from slaughtered animals were positive by DIF, but only two L. pneumophila serogroup I strains were isolated from the lungs of two cadavers. Legionella antibody titres of 1:64 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence in serum samples from 10 of 100 dairy cattle, 5 of 100 beef cattle, 4 of 95 sheep, 5 of 23 antelopes, 12 of 34 horses, 33 of 92 water buffaloes and none of 41 laboratory rabbits. The isolation of Legionella from lung tissue is the strongest indication so far reported of a role for Legionella spp. in animal disease.