Wang Yuehua, Jiang Linzhe, Zhou Fei, Zhang Yi, Fine Ryan D, Li Mingguang
School of Laboratory Medicine, Jilin Medical University, Jilin, China.
General Surgery, Jilin People's Hospital, Jilin, China.
Front Microbiol. 2025 Aug 8;16:1634806. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1634806. eCollection 2025.
, a Gram-negative bacillus, is the primary etiological agent of Legionnaires' disease, a severe respiratory infection. The symbiotic relationship between and free-living amoebae (FLAs), particularly spp., represents a critical intersection of microbial ecology and human pathogenesis. This symbiosis provides with a protective intracellular niche, enhancing its resistance to biocides, increasing its pathogenicity, and facilitating horizontal gene transfer. These interactions not only boost the environmental persistence and dissemination of but also elevate the risk of human exposure through contaminated drinking water systems. This review delves into the sophisticated survival strategies employed by within host cells, including evasion of endocytic pathways, inhibition of phagosome maturation and acidification, and prevention of phagosome-lysosome fusion. By elucidating these mechanisms, we underscore the critical need for in-depth research into the amoebae symbiosis and its broader implications for public health. Additionally, we address the challenges and strategies for mitigating environmental risks, emphasizing the importance of innovative approaches to ensure water system safety and prevent pathogen transmission.
嗜肺军团菌是一种革兰氏阴性杆菌，是军团病（一种严重的呼吸道感染）的主要病原体。嗜肺军团菌与自由生活的变形虫（FLAs），特别是棘阿米巴属之间的共生关系，代表了微生物生态学与人类发病机制的一个关键交叉点。这种共生关系为嗜肺军团菌提供了一个保护性的细胞内生态位，增强了其对杀菌剂的抗性，提高了其致病性，并促进了水平基因转移。这些相互作用不仅增强了嗜肺军团菌在环境中的持久性和传播，还增加了通过受污染的饮用水系统接触人类的风险。本综述深入探讨了嗜肺军团菌在宿主细胞内采用的复杂生存策略，包括逃避内吞途径、抑制吞噬体成熟和酸化，以及防止吞噬体-溶酶体融合。通过阐明这些机制，我们强调了深入研究变形虫共生关系及其对公共卫生更广泛影响的迫切需要。此外，我们还讨论了减轻环境风险的挑战和策略，强调了创新方法对确保水系统安全和防止病原体传播的重要性。
