Whole genome sequencing and analysis of isolates from the five major disease-associated clones (STs) of Legionella pneumophila.. Characterisation of some of the major disease associated clones of L pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is an environmental bacterium but also the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, a severe and often fatal pneumonia. Of >1900 sequence types (STs) currently described, just five (ST1, 23, 37, 47 and 62) account for nearly half of identified clinical cases in Western Europe. We aimed to understand the emergence and diversity of these five STs within the context of the species. Whole genome sequencing (Illumina HiSeq) and analysis was performed on isolates from the five major disease-associated STs.