Legionella bacteria in soil: how climate and other microbes affect their risk
Legionella in soil: biotic and abiotic controls of pathogenicity
This project looks at how weather and tiny soil organisms change the amount and infectivity of Legionella bacteria that can cause pneumonia, which matters to people at risk of Legionnaires' disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192219 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will collect soil samples from locations with different temperatures and rainfall to measure how common Legionella and their amoeba hosts are. In the lab they will test whether interactions with amoeba and environmental conditions make Legionella more likely to grow or become infectious. The team will use these results to build maps and models that predict where soil-based Legionella may pose higher risk. This work focuses on environmental drivers rather than direct patient care, but it can inform prevention and public health surveillance.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People concerned about environmental exposure to Legionella—such as those living in areas with changing climate patterns or with a history of Legionnaires' disease—would be most interested in participating in related surveillance or sample collection.
Not a fit: People currently sick with Legionnaires' disease or needing immediate medical treatment are unlikely to get direct medical benefit from this ecological research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could improve prediction and prevention of environmental Legionella exposures, helping lower the risk of Legionnaires' disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked warmer temperatures and heavy rain to more Legionnaires' cases, but detailed soil surveys and tests of amoeba–Legionella interactions as a prediction tool are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Honolulu, United States
- University of Hawaii at Manoa — Honolulu, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yuan, Mengting Maggie — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Yuan, Mengting Maggie
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.