Legionella RT-PCR Test
Print
| WSLH Department: | CDD - Communicable Disease Division |
| WSLH Test Code: | MP00441 |
| Day(s) Performed: | Monday-Friday |
| Turn-around Time: | 1-3 days |
| Recommended Uses: | Detection of Legionella DNA for identification and/or confirmation; species identification and serogrouping of isolates for epidemiological purposes. |
| Pre-approval: | No |
| Contraindications: | This test is for clinical use only, not for use with environmental samples. |
| Additional Tests Performed: |
Positive specimens will automatically have Legionella Culture (Test Code MP00420) performed to recover an isolate for public health investigation purposes. This will not incur additional charges. Results will be reported to the submitter. |
| Preparation for Collection: | |
| Specimen Requirements: | Sputum or BAL of suspect patients collected in a sterile container. Pure bacterial isolate of suspected Legionella sp. on BCYE agar. |
| Collection Instructions: | |
| Collection Kit/Container: |
|
| Requisition Form: |
|
| 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 which is required to have a minimum of two identifiers. |
| Rejection Criteria: | Specimens received at ambient temperature Non-respiratory specimens Specimens received outside of the stability range |
| Specimen Handling: | Primary specimens can be stored at 2-8°C until transport and transported with frozen cold packs. Primary specimens must be tested within 3 days of collection. 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. Isolates may be stored and shipped at ambient temperatures; avoid freezing. |
| Packaging Requirements: | |
| Courier Information: | Only eligible for fee-exempt courier if pre-approved by a health department |
| Specimen Receiving Hours: | Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Results Include: | Legionella DNA detected/not detected, Legionella pneumophila DNA detected/not detected, Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 DNA detected/not detected |
| Limitations: | Not validated for non-respiratory specimens. Lung tissue and transtracheal aspirate have the highest yield of positive results. Sputum and pleural fluid have a lower yield. |
| Additional Tests Recommended: | |
| Additional Comments: |
| Methodology: | Real-time PCR |
| Includes: | RT-PCR for the detection of DNA specific for Legionella, L. pneumophila species, and serogroup 1 from primary respiratory specimens or bacterial isolates. |
| Regulatory Compliance: |
| CPT Code: | 87541, 2x 87798 |
| Price: | $116.00 |
| Fee Exempt Eligible: | Yes, with health department pre-approval to support outbreak investigations |
| Billing and Revenue Office: | 1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu |