Test Details
Methodology
Culture; direct fluorescent antibody (DFA)
Result Turnaround Time
7 - 16 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Test Includes
Direct fluorescent assay for the detection of Legionella pneumophila and culture for Legionella species. CPT coding for microbiology and virology procedures often cannot be determined before the culture is performed.
Use
Determine the presence of Legionella pneumophila organisms by a combination of culture and direct FA smear of specimen, providing a rapid and sensitive diagnosis
Custom Additional Information
See table.
Adapted from Harrison TG, Taylor AG. Timing of seroconversion in Legionnaires' disease. Lancet. 1988 Oct 1; 2(8614):795. |
Gram stain of respiratory secretions reveals numerous neutrophils, but few organisms |
Presence of hyponatremia (serum sodium ≤130 mmol/L) |
Failure to respond to β-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics |
Occurrence in hospital where potable water system is known to be contaminated with Legionella |
History of smoking and alcohol use |
Pleuritic chest pain |
Fever, malaise, myalgia, headache |
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Lung tissue, transtracheal aspirate, pleural fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, sputum
Volume
1 mL lung biopsy (frozen), transtracheal aspirate, pleural fluid; 5 mL bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid; 5 mL sputum
Minimum Volume
1 mL fluid (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Sterile container
Storage Instructions
Maintain specimen at 2°C to 8°C.
Causes for Rejection
Swab specimen; inappropriate specimen transport device; unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen received after prolonged delay (usually more than 72 hours); specimen received in expired transport; environmental water samples such as air conditioning/cooling towers
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 188227 | Legionella pneumophila/Culture | 88585-5 | 085506 | Legionella pneumophila DFA | 89594-6 | |
| 188227 | Legionella pneumophila/Culture | 88585-5 | 086868 | Legionella Species Culture | 88585-5 | |
| Order Code | 188227 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Legionella pneumophila/Culture | |||||
| Order Loinc | 88585-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 085506 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Legionella pneumophila DFA | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 89594-6 | |||||
| Order Code | 188227 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Legionella pneumophila/Culture | |||||
| Order Loinc | 88585-5 | |||||
| Result Code | 086868 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Legionella Species Culture | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 88585-5 |
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex 1 | 080271 | Result | 080272 | Result 1 | 593-4 | |
| Reflex 1 | ||||||
| Order Code | 080271 | |||||
| Order Name | Result | |||||
| Result Code | 080272 | |||||
| Result Name | Result 1 | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 593-4 | |||||
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex 1 | 080271 | Result | 080273 | Result 2 | N/A | |
| Reflex 1 | ||||||
| Order Code | 080271 | |||||
| Order Name | Result | |||||
| Result Code | 080273 | |||||
| Result Name | Result 2 | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | N/A | |||||
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex 1 | 080271 | Result | 080274 | Result 3 | N/A | |
| Reflex 1 | ||||||
| Order Code | 080271 | |||||
| Order Name | Result | |||||
| Result Code | 080274 | |||||
| Result Name | Result 3 | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | N/A | |||||
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex 1 | 080271 | Result | 080275 | Result 4 | N/A | |
| Reflex 1 | ||||||
| Order Code | 080271 | |||||
| Order Name | Result | |||||
| Result Code | 080275 | |||||
| Result Name | Result 4 | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | N/A | |||||
| Order Code | Order Name | Result Code | Result Name | UofM | Result LOINC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reflex 1 | 080271 | Result | 080276 | Antimicrobial Susceptibility | N/A | |
| Reflex 1 | ||||||
| Order Code | 080271 | |||||
| Order Name | Result | |||||
| Result Code | 080276 | |||||
| Result Name | Antimicrobial Susceptibility | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | N/A | |||||