The ecology of pathogens including Legionella, the bacteria that cause Legionnaires' Disease, and Legionella-like bacteria is studied as part of the Center's initiative to prevent the transmission of waterborne pathogens through environmental reservoirs. Environmental factors affecting distribution are also considered in preventing pathogens from spreading. Over the last five years, the Center has been funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for projects headed by Sharon Berk, microbiologist with the Center, to reveal the prevalence of the new potential human pathogens and predict environments likely to harbor such pathogens.

For a description of the project activated in the 2007-2008 fiscal year, click on the link below. (To view pdf files, you will need Adobe Acrobat software available free at www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.) Interactions of Salmonella enterica and E. coli 0157:H7 with Protozoa from Fresh Produce (pdf file) S.G. Berk Funding by: U.S. Department of Agriculture