|
Test ID: Legionella culture
|
|
Legionella culture
|
|
Selective culture for isolation of Legionella spp from lower respiratory tract specimens
|
|
Useful For
|
Detection of Legionella bacteria in suspected Legionnaire's disease
Isolation of the Legionella bacteria for epidemiological typing in patients with positive legionella antigen in urine
|
|
Method name and description
|
Selective culture on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar
Identification by matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation time of flight detection mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)
|
|
|
Specimen type / Specimen volume / Specimen container
|
Lower respiratory specimens such as broncheoalveolar lavage and sputum
Minimum 0.5 ml
In sterile container
|
|
Collection instructions / Special Precautions / Timing of collection
|
Collect in accordance with your organisations' policies and protocols
Avoid contamination with normal respiratory flora
|
|
Relevant clinical information to be provided
|
State if urinary legionella antigen test was positive
Any risk factors for Legionella infection
|
|
Storage and transport instructions
|
Transport to laboratory at room temperature within 2 hours
|
|
Specimen Rejection Criteria
|
Mislabelled or unlabelled specimen
|
|
|
Biological reference intervals and clinical decision values
|
Negative result:
Legionella not isolated.
Positive result:
Legionella isolated. Identification on MALDI-TOF will be reported.
Result will be phoned to physicians.
|
|
Factors affecting test performance and result interpretation
|
Specimen contaminated with normal respiratory flora
|
|
Turnaround time / Days and times test performed / Specimen retention time
|
Turnaround time: 12 days. Culture plates will be checked at regular intervals and if positive, a result will be issued on the same day. If negative, a final report will be issued at 12 days.
Days and times test performed: Daily 7am to 3pm
Specimen retention time: 48 hours after release of final report
|
|
|
