Temperature & Legionella

Temperature affects the motility, piliation, and virulence of L. pneumophila cultured in bacteriological medium. Cells express more flagellin RNA and protein and assemble more flagella when incubated at 30°C. Similarly, production of type IV pili and transcription of the pilBCD pilin locus occurs when bacteria are cultured at 30°C. Adherence is also temperature dependent. The 60-kDa heat shock protein Hsp60 has also been implicated in attachment and entry of L. pneumophila to epithelial cells.