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Sequence-based typing to identify novel Polymorphisms among Legionella Pneumophila isolates in Western Pennsylvania

Bixler, Brooke (2016) Sequence-based typing to identify novel Polymorphisms among Legionella Pneumophila isolates in Western Pennsylvania. Master's Thesis, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Legionella pneumophila is a gram-negative bacterium that can cause two types of human illness, Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever. The goal of this study was to determine the sequence types (STs) for several L. pneumophila isolates collected in western Pennsylvania and compare them to STs from other geographic areas. Investigating ST of L. pneumophila can help to establish control measures and determine sources of outbreaks, both of which are of great public health significance. Environmental and patient samples were collected in Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania from October 2013 through December 2014. Sequence-based typing (SBT) was conducted to determine the sequence type of L. pneumophila present in the samples. Out of the nine STs that were identified in western Pennsylvania, five were novel. The known STs found in this study were ST 8, 986, 154, and 1941. When compared to similar SBT studies done in Portugal, Canada, England, and Spain, the results of the Pittsburgh study proved to be unique due to the identification of the five novel STs. The known STs found in the study were also not commonly found in investigations in other geographic areas. Overall, the results from the Pittsburgh investigation indicate environmental and patient isolates from western Pennsylvania have a unique ST compared to other isolates of L. pneumophila from around the world.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Bixler, Brookebrb131@pitt.eduBRB131
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairMartinson, Jeremyjmartins@pitt.eduJMARTINS
Committee MemberHarrison, Leelharriso@edc.pitt.eduLHARRISO
Committee MemberGlynn, Nancyglynnn@edc.pitt.eduEPIDNWG
Date: 27 January 2016
Date Type: Publication
Defense Date: 4 November 2015
Approval Date: 27 January 2016
Submission Date: 12 November 2015
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Number of Pages: 29
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: School of Public Health > Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Degree: MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type: Master's Thesis
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Legionella pneumophila, L. pneumophila, Legionnaires’ disease, sequence types, Sequence-based typing, whole genome sequencing, DNA sequences
Date Deposited: 27 Jan 2016 21:24
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 14:30
URI: http://d-scholarship-dev.library.pitt.edu/id/eprint/26337

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