Biochemical fingerprints of Legionella spp. by the BIOLOG system: presumptive identification of clinical and environmental isolates.

Six Legionella strains were characterized with the BIOLOGTM identification system. A specific metabolic pattern for the six Legionella strains was observed after 24 h. Several positive reactions were detected intermittently in all six strains tested. The possible application of the BIOLOG system for identification of Legionella spp. from environmental or clinical samples is discussed.