Legionella & Nocardia Culture

Message

Blood culture for suspected Legionella is ordered as Blood Culture (C B). Legionella blood culture requests may share an order with bacterial blood cultures. A separate culture is not needed. A lab communication must be placed for an extended hold. See link to Blood Culture (C B) below for collection and transport instructions.

Test Code

C LEGNOC

Preferred Specimen

Lower respiratory tract specimens including bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial brushings,
induced or expectorated sputums, endotracheal or nasotracheal suctions, tracheal aspirates
Sterile fluid such as pleural fluid, peritoneal or pericardial fluid
Lung tissue

Minimum Volume

1 ml

Instructions

All of the above specimens should be collected in sterile, screw-capped container.

Transport Temperature

For Respiratory Specimens: Keep refrigerated.
For Tissue Samples: Keep refrigerated.
DO NOT leave at room temperature.
DO NOT freeze

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Unacceptable specimens:
Specimens with excessive transport time
Specimen types other than those described above
NOTE: for environmental testing for Legionella, refer to Infection Preventionist for further information.
Environmental testing not performed by hospital laboratories.

Clinical Significance

Bacteria in the genus Legionella primarily cause respiratory illness, i.e. either Legionnaires' Disease, a systemic illness manifested primarily by pneumonia, or Pontiac fever, a nonpnuemonic, influenza-like illness. Legionellae may also cause a variety of other illnesses.

Performing Laboratory
BUMCT

Additional Information
Blood Culture- C B

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.