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Test ID LEGRP Legionella species, Molecular Detection, PCR

Useful For

Sensitive and rapid diagnosis of pneumonia caused by Legionella species

Method Name

Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)

Reporting Name

Legionella PCR

Specimen Type

Varies

The high sensitivity of amplification by PCR requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Legionella DNA is unlikely.

 

Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

Microbiology Test Request Form (T244) (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/microbiology_test_request_form.pdf)

Neurology Test Request Form (T732) (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/neurology-request-form.pdf)

 

Specimen source is required.

 

Specimen Type: Respiratory

Sources: Sputum, tracheal secretions/aspirates, transtracheal aspirate, bronchial washing/aspirate, bronchoalveolar lavage, lung fluid or pleural fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

 

Specimen Type: Fresh tissue or biopsy

Sources: Lung tissue

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Specimen Minimum Volume

Fluid: 0.5 mL/Tissue: 5 mm(3)

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Varies Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Clinical Information

Legionnaires disease was first recognized during a pneumonia outbreak at the Legionnaires convention in Philadelphia in 1976. Investigators with the CDC isolated a novel, gram-negative bacillus, later named Legionella pneumophila. It is now widely recognized that Legionella pneumophila (and other members of the genus Legionella) cause Legionnaires disease.

Reference Values

Not applicable

Cautions

This assay does not differentiate between the Legionella species. The assay is not recommended as a test of cure because nucleic acid may persist after successful treatment. False-positive results are theoretically possible if patient specimens are contaminated with Legionella DNA, which may occur since Legionella species are environmental organisms present in aquatic environments. The following uncommonly encountered species of Legionella are not detected by this assay: Legionella anisa, Legionella feeleii, Legionella maceachernii, Legionella parisiensis, and Legionella sainthelensi.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

87801

NY State Approved

Yes