A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Legionella Culture [688X]
Test CodeLGNCL
Alias/See Also
960; 688X
CPT Codes
87081
Preferred Specimen
1 gram lung tissue, fresh (unfixed) tissue or
3 mL bronchial lavage/wash, or sputum, or bronchial alveolar lavage, or pleural fluid, or nasopharyngeal lavage/wash, or tracheal lavage/wash
3 mL bronchial lavage/wash, or sputum, or bronchial alveolar lavage, or pleural fluid, or nasopharyngeal lavage/wash, or tracheal lavage/wash
Minimum Volume
2 mL for bronchial washings, sputum, bronchial alveolar lavage, pleural fluid, nasopharyngeal lavage/wash or tracheal lavage/wash
Instructions
Lung biopsy: Place lung biopsy into sterile container.
Sputum: Instruct patient to gargle with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.
Aspirate: Place aspirate or washing into sterile container.
Tissue: Add small amount of sterile, non-bacteriostatic, distilled water to prevent drying, if necessary. Do not add saline, because it may be inhibitory.
Sputum: Instruct patient to gargle with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.
Aspirate: Place aspirate or washing into sterile container.
Tissue: Add small amount of sterile, non-bacteriostatic, distilled water to prevent drying, if necessary. Do not add saline, because it may be inhibitory.
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Unacceptable
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Expired transport device • Environmental sources • Received in viral transport media • urine samples
Methodology
Culture
Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 8 days after receipt at the performing laboratory. Add two (2) days for transport.
Reference Range
Not isolated
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 nonpneumonic, influenza-like illness. Legionellae may also cause a variety of other illnesses.
Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153
Last Updated: August 18, 2023