The isolation and determination of some properties of Legionella spp. from naturally found environmental waters in Kutahya

In this study, a total of 150 water samples (from June to September 2016) were collected from the naturally exist environmental waters in the province of Kütahya. After the water samples were passed through the filtration process, filters were placed on the BYCE medium and incubation was allowed in the experimental protocol line. Latex agglutination test kit was then applied to the suspected colonies. Six of the 8 Legionella isolates were found to be serogroup 2-15, and 2 of them were Legionella spp.. Isolates have been investigated for their heavy metal resistance tests, antibiotic resistance and secondary metabolite production ability. The ability of the isolated Legionella bacteria to produce the secondary metabolite is determined by usage of Gram positive (B. cereus, B. licheniformis, S. epidermidis and S. aureus), Gram negative (E. aerogenes, E. aeruginosa, E. coli and A. hydrophila) and yeasts (S. cerevisiae and S. baulardii) by executing agar block method. E. coli ATCC 25922 strain were used as reference strains in heavy metal and antibiotic resistance tests. When compared with the highest MIC value reference strain against heavy metals in the heavy metal tolerance (MIC) assay performed, the 100% resistance against lead and chromium, 12.5% against nickel, zinc, cobalt and copper heavy metals were detected. The isolates were found to have no resistance to iron and cadmium heavy metals. Antibiotic resistance tests were performed by disk diffusion and microdilution methods. Three different temperatures (27°C, 37°C and 40°C) were used in the antibiotic resistance experiment. The antibiotics used were Ampicillin, Imipenem, Cefotaxime, Amikacin, Kanamycin, Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Ofloxacin, Sulbactam, Gentamycin, Doxycycline, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin. As a result of the experiments, it was determined that the highest antibiotic resistance by disk diffusion method was against cefotaxime antibiotic. Minimal Inhibition Concentrations (MIC) of Legionella isolates were determined by microdilution method using doxycycline, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin antibiotics. All of the isolates were determined to be susceptible to three antibiotics tested. Key words: Heavy metal, antibiotic resistance, Legionella spp.