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Legionella Pneumophila Antigen, DFA
MessageFor Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.
Test Code
LEGNAG
CPT Codes
87278
Preferred Specimen
1 gram fresh (unfixed)lung or other respiratory tissue submitted in a sterile leak proof container or 3 mL bronchial or transtracheal wash/lavbage/aspirate or sputum or pleural fluid submitted in a sterile leak-proof container
Minimum Volume
1 gram lung tissue or other respiratory tissue • 2 mL respiratory fluids
Instructions
Lung Tissue: Place into sterile container with a small amount of sterile, non-bacteriostatic, distilled water. Do not add saline beccause it may be inhibitory.
Sputum: Instruct patient to gargel with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.
Sputum: Instruct patient to gargel with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.
Transport Container
Sterile leak-proof container
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?)
Slides: serum; urine; expired transport device; environmental sources; specimens received in a viral transport media
Methodology
Direct Immunofluorescence Assay (DFA)
Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: Next day
Reference Range
Not detected
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 non-pneumonic, 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: June 20, 2022