Legionella NAT (Calgary/South)
- Test Name:
- Legionella NAT (Calgary/South)
- Organism(s)/Disease(s):
-
Legionella pneumophila
Legionella spp
Legionnaires disease
Pneumonia/atypical pneumonia
Pontiac Fever (Legionnaires disease)
- Body Source(s):
-
Bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL)
Bronchial wash (BW)
Pleural fluid
Tissue - lung
-
Clinical Prerequisite(s):
-
Note: Sputum is processes only if urinary antigen is positive or if approved by the Microbiologist-on-call
Provision of relevant, clinical information is important to ensure a clinically relevant result.
Always provide/record:
• clinical history - symptoms, signs and duration
• specimen source
• travel history - Collection Device/Tube Type:
-
60 mL sterile, plastic container
- Specimen Requirement(s):
-
Minimum volume: 1 mL
- Handling and Storage:
-
Transport/submit to laboratory as soon as possible after collection
- Turnaround Times
- See Microbiology Information»
- Comments:
-
Turnaround Times: 24 hours
Legionella testing is performed using a two-step algorithm
All specimens are screened for Legionella pneumophila and other Legionella species by real-time Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR).
• If the screen is Negative - the presence of Legionella can be ruled out
• If the screen is Positive - the specimen is cultured for confirmation
- Last Reviewed:
- 06 May 2023
