Separation of Legionella pneumophila Proteases and Purification of a Protease Which Produces Lesions Like Those of Legionnaires" Disease in Guinea Pig Lung

Six discrete protease activities were recovered from the supernatant broth of Legionella pneumophila cultures by ion-exchange chromatography. One of these demonstrated in vitro activity against collagen, casein and gelatin. When administered into the lungs of guinea-pigs this protease elicited lesions which were pathologically similar to those seen in clinical and experimentally induced Legionnaires' disease.