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Legionella pneumophilia DFA : 1000604
MessageIf the appropriateness of a source is in question, please contact the laboratory.
Test Code
LEGDFA or 1000604
Alias/See Also
LDA (Legionnaires' Disease Antibody); Legionnaire's Disease
CPT Codes
87278
Instructions
Specimens include: sputum, BAL, bronchial washings & brush, pleural fluid, chest drainage, lung tissue (fresh or formalin fixed). DFA testing is not appropriate for all sources.
Lung tissue:
Submit fresh or formalin fixed in sterile container inside a ziplock bag.
Submit as much tissue as possible.
Washings and Aspirates:
Submit in sterile container inside a ziplock bag.
Sputum:
1. The specimen must be collected under the supervision of a nurse or physician to ensure that proper collection procedures are followed.
2. Have the patient rinse their mouth with some fresh drinking water and swallow the water.
3. Instruct the patient to cough deeply to bring up sputum from the lungs. (Be sure to tell the patient you do not want post nasal discharge).
4. Expectorate the sputum into a sterile, leak-proof container. (The amount of the sputum is not as critical as its quality. If the patient cannot produce sputum, try again later. Do not insist on a specimen. That will usually only produce a sample of saliva or post nasal discharge.)
5. Patients older than 5 years who cannot follow these instructions should have specimens collected by suction (respiratory therapist). Do not substitute a throat swab.
Lung tissue:
Submit fresh or formalin fixed in sterile container inside a ziplock bag.
Submit as much tissue as possible.
Washings and Aspirates:
Submit in sterile container inside a ziplock bag.
Sputum:
1. The specimen must be collected under the supervision of a nurse or physician to ensure that proper collection procedures are followed.
2. Have the patient rinse their mouth with some fresh drinking water and swallow the water.
3. Instruct the patient to cough deeply to bring up sputum from the lungs. (Be sure to tell the patient you do not want post nasal discharge).
4. Expectorate the sputum into a sterile, leak-proof container. (The amount of the sputum is not as critical as its quality. If the patient cannot produce sputum, try again later. Do not insist on a specimen. That will usually only produce a sample of saliva or post nasal discharge.)
5. Patients older than 5 years who cannot follow these instructions should have specimens collected by suction (respiratory therapist). Do not substitute a throat swab.
Transport Container
Submit in a sterile screw capped container. Tissue may be fresh or formalin fixed.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated.
Specimen Stability
Transport as quickly as possible.
Methodology
Direct Fluorescent Antibody Stain for Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1-6 and Legionella micdadei
Setup Schedule
Sunday - Saturday
Report Available
1-3 days
Reference Range
Negative for Legionella pneumophilia
Clinical Significance
Legionella pneumophila accounts for approximately 90% of cases of legionellosis.
Performing Laboratory
med fusion
