|
One hundred and fifty-three isolates from the environment and 36 reference strains of the Legionella were studied with regards to their composition of cellular fatty acids as determined by gas chromatography, and then were classified into 41 groups by numerical analysis. Most reference strains formed only a single group, except L. micdadei, L. jamestowniensis, L. parisiensis, L. jordanis, L. feeleii and L. longbeachae, which were clustered into two or three groups. Even serological types of L. pneumophila could be clearly identified. Therefore, in this study, numerical analysis of cellular fatty acid composition is an effective method for identifying Legionella species. |
