Legionella RT-PCR Test

WSLH Department: CDD - Communicable Disease Division
WSLH Test Code: MP00441
Availability: Monday-Friday
Turn-around Time: 1-3 days
Recommended Uses: Detection of Legionella DNA in bacterial isolates and primary cultures for identification and/or confirmation; species identification and serogrouping of isolates for epidemiological purposes.
Contraindications: This test is for clinical use only, not for use with environmental samples.
Additional Tests Performed:
Patient Preparations:
Specimen Requirements: Pure bacterial isolate of suspected Legionella sp. on BCYE agar.
Sputum or BAL of suspect patients collected in sterile container.
Specimen Handling & Transport: Isolates can be stored at ambient temperatures; avoid freezing. Primary specimens can be stored at 2-8C until transport and transported with a cool pack. Primary specimens must be tested within 3 days of collection per CDC guidance. If specimens will not be tested for 3 or more days, they should be stored at -20°C until ready for shipment and shipped on dry ice.
Collection Kit/Container: TB Sputum/Legionella
Collection Instructions:
Unacceptable Conditions:
Requisition Form: CDD Requisition Form A
Required Information: Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier; date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label.
Results Include: Legionella DNA detected/not detected
Legionella pneumophila DNA detected/not detected
Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 DNA detected/not detected
Limitations: This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. It has not been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A negative result does not rule out Legionella infection.
Additional Tests Recommended: Legionella Culture (primary specimens); Legionella Identification (isolates)
Additional Comments:
Methodology: Real-time PCR
Includes: Real-time PCR for the detection of Legionella species and serogrouping of Legionella pneumophila from bacterial isolates and primary specimens.
CPT Code: 87541, 2x 87798
Price: $165.00
Back to test list