Legionella & Nocardia Culture

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
Blood

Minimum Volume

1 ml

Instructions

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

Blood

Collect 6-10ml in a SPS (sodium polyanethol sulfonate) tube
Bottle Type: Plus+Aerobic/F fill 8ml - 10ml
Bottle Type: Lytic/10 Anaerobic/F fill - 8ml - 10ml
- Follow guidelines for collecting blood cultures.
- If collecting blood for Legionella culture, these bottles can also be shared with bacterial blood cultures. A separate collection for Legionella blood culture is not needed.

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

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.