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Legionella DFA
Test CodeLDFA
CPT Codes
87278
Preferred Specimen
Respiratory, tissue or aspirate
Minimum Volume
2 mL
Instructions
Do Not Transport in Saline. Use sterile water if collection/ transport fluid is necessary.
Transport Container
Sterile Container
Transport Temperature
RT up to 2 hrs then 2-8 C
Specimen Stability
2-8 C for up to 24 hrs.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Improperly labelled; Improper storage/transport
Methodology
Microscopic examination; Direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) stain
Setup Schedule
Daily upon receipt
Report Available
Weekly
Reference Range
No Legionella seen on direct fluorescent antibody stain
Clinical Significance
Legionnaire's disease is associated with pneumonia and other illness. Antigen detetection by DFA is often used in conjunction with culture. Antigen detetection provides a more rapid result; however, antigen detection has lower sensitivity and specificity than culture.