Partial 16SrRNA gene sequencing of Legionella pneumophila Isolated from COVID-19 Iraqi Patients

Abstract

Legionella pneumophila gram-negative, aerobic bacilli that do not form spores, are capsule-free, and possess the enzymes catalase and oxidase ,belong to genus legionella which single genus in legonellacea family  the genus legionella consist of 53 spices and 70 serogroup.  Legionella ubiquite and inhabits nature water such as rivers and  lacks  and artificial water also moist soil.  infection occur when human inhaled aerosol contained pathogen or aspiration .Person to person not transmitted  after inhaled bacteria invade alveolar macrophage and other cells such as monocytes by process know coiling phagocytosis. The current study aimed to detect Legionella pneumophila and  identification of DNA sequencing with Studying the phylogenetic tree . Sixty samples of sputum were obtained from  qRT - PCR confirmed  COVID-19 patients .DNA extracted using a specific kit, and PCR product for 16SrRNA gene were sequenced in Macrogen Company of korea ,Sample were sent through Company of Iraq biotechnology . From sixty patients investigated for COVID-19 infection ,it  was found that4\60( 6.6 %) had co-infection with legionella pneumophila where  local   legionella pneumophila strains  were diagnosis that recorded under accession number ID; ON399095, ON399096 ON399097and ON399098with NCBI-Blast legionella pneumophila  by using (MEGA X program).