Synonym(s):
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Legionnaires'
disease, legionellosis, Legion fever
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Requisition Form
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G-2B
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Test Description
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Identification
of Legionella spp.
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Pre-Approval Needed
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Yes; Pre-approval needed from Epidemiology for environmental isolates.
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Supplemental Information Required
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N/A
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Supplemental Form(s)
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N/A
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Performed on Specimens from (sources)
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Human (Environmental
origin: Isolates only with prior approval)
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Sample/Specimen Type for Testing
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Clinical
- Tissue;
Pleural Fluid; Sputum; Bronchial Washings in sterile, leakproof container.
Pure Isolate
- Isolates should
be prepared on appropriate slants-Buffered Charcoal Yeast (BCYE)
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Minimum Volume/Size Required
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Clinical:
500µl
Isolate: At least one viable colony |
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping
|
- Clinical
sample: < 48 hours store at 4°C
≥48 hours: Freeze immediately at ≤-20°C
Isolate:
Store ≤14 days at 4°C
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Transport Medium
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Appropriate solid medium that supports growth, such as BCYE
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Specimen Labeling
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- Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number)
- Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.
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Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements
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- Ship according to Dangerous Good Regulations,
IATA, and/or CFR 49.
Clinical
- <48hrs from collection ship on cold
pack
- >48hrs freeze at -70C and ship on
dry ice.
Isolate
|
Method
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MALDI-TOF (Mass Spectrometry); Bacterial culture ; Direct Immunofluorescence assay
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Turn-around Time
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4-21 days
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Interferences/Limitations
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- Material must be viable.
- Improper storage or shipping temperatures limit organism recovery.
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Common Causes for Rejection
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- Insufficient quantity
- Unacceptable specimen type or source
- Improper shipping conditions
- Expired media or collection container
- Discrepancies between specimen label and submission form
- Incomplete or missing submission form
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Additional Information
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Non Legionella
pneumophila serogroup 1 specimens will be forwarded to CDC for further
testing.
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