Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
Nasopharyngeal swab: Flocked swab in Universal Transport Medium(UTM), E-swab (liquid Amies elution medium) or Amies transport medium with charcoal, Other samples: Sterile, leak-proof container. Amies Gel and Amies/Stuart Liquid Swab Transport Systems have also been validated for culture.
Remarks
Nasopharyngeal swab: Use flocked swab/Universal Transport Medium for collection. Insert swab into the nostril, gently rotating the swab inward until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates. Rotate the swab a few times against the nasopharyngeal wall (approximately 10 sec) and then withdraw swab. Insert swab into container with Universal Transport Medium. Break end of swab so top of vial can be screwed on securely. Appropriately label specimen and send to the laboratory.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Refrigerated 24 hours
Test Code
P125
Test Group
Legionella
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Refrigerated 24 hours
Reference Interval
Negative
Critical Values
Positive culture
Additional Information
Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
CPT Codes
87081
LOINC Codes
593-4
Available Stat
No
Test Code
P125
Test Group
Legionella
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Daily, day and evening shifts
Methodology
Culture
Remarks
Nasopharyngeal swab: Use flocked swab/Universal Transport Medium for collection. Insert swab into the nostril, gently rotating the swab inward until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates. Rotate the swab a few times against the nasopharyngeal wall (approximately 10 sec) and then withdraw swab. Insert swab into container with Universal Transport Medium. Break end of swab so top of vial can be screwed on securely. Appropriately label specimen and send to the laboratory.
Collect
Nasopharyngeal swab: Flocked swab in Universal Transport Medium(UTM), E-swab (liquid Amies elution medium) or Amies transport medium with charcoal, Other samples: Sterile, leak-proof container. Amies Gel and Amies/Stuart Liquid Swab Transport Systems have also been validated for culture.
Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
CPT Codes
87081
LOINC Codes
593-4
Ordering
Available Stat
No
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Daily, day and evening shifts
Methodology
Culture
Reported
Up to 14 days
Additional Information
Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
Nasopharyngeal swab: Flocked swab in Universal Transport Medium(UTM), E-swab (liquid Amies elution medium) or Amies transport medium with charcoal, Other samples: Sterile, leak-proof container. Amies Gel and Amies/Stuart Liquid Swab Transport Systems have also been validated for culture.
Remarks
Nasopharyngeal swab: Use flocked swab/Universal Transport Medium for collection. Insert swab into the nostril, gently rotating the swab inward until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates. Rotate the swab a few times against the nasopharyngeal wall (approximately 10 sec) and then withdraw swab. Insert swab into container with Universal Transport Medium. Break end of swab so top of vial can be screwed on securely. Appropriately label specimen and send to the laboratory.
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Refrigerated 24 hours
Processing
Test Code
P125
Test Group
Legionella
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Stability (from collection to initiation)
Refrigerated 24 hours
Result Interpretation
Reference Interval
Negative
Critical Values
Positive culture
Additional Information
Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
Administrative
CPT Codes
87081
LOINC Codes
593-4
Complete View
Available Stat
No
Test Code
P125
Test Group
Legionella
Performing Lab
Microbiology
Performed
Daily, day and evening shifts
Methodology
Culture
Remarks
Nasopharyngeal swab: Use flocked swab/Universal Transport Medium for collection. Insert swab into the nostril, gently rotating the swab inward until resistance is met at the level of the turbinates. Rotate the swab a few times against the nasopharyngeal wall (approximately 10 sec) and then withdraw swab. Insert swab into container with Universal Transport Medium. Break end of swab so top of vial can be screwed on securely. Appropriately label specimen and send to the laboratory.
Collect
Nasopharyngeal swab: Flocked swab in Universal Transport Medium(UTM), E-swab (liquid Amies elution medium) or Amies transport medium with charcoal, Other samples: Sterile, leak-proof container. Amies Gel and Amies/Stuart Liquid Swab Transport Systems have also been validated for culture.
Culture is the gold standard and 100% specific, but sensitivity is less than 75%. Inadequate specimens, poor growth characteristics and prior antibiotic use will decrease culture yield.
The sensitivity of PCR tests are estimated to be 80 to 100% for lower respiratory tract specimens and the specificity is >90%.
Order Legionella Culture in conjunction with Legionella PCR test for optimal laboratory diagnosis of Legionella infections.
Legionella Urinary Antigen detects only serotype 1, which accounts for less than half of infections seen at UCSF.
