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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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CULTURE, LEGIONELLA

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB2120    Geisinger Epic ID:  18053

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Lower respiratory tract secretions, pleural fluid/tissue


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

Lower respiratory specimens: 1mL; Pleural fluid: 5mL or more, 0.5mL minimum; tissue: 0.5-1 cm diameter (pea size), minimum 0.2 cm (rice grain).


Special notes: 

Check expiration date on transport device before use. Urine is not acceptable for culture. Refer to Legionella Antigen (LEGAGE) for testing of urine.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Room temperature


Specimen stability: 

Sterile container, sputum collector, trap: Room temperature < 24 hours 
ATM: Room temperature < 72 hours


Rejection criteria: 

Urine, specimen received in blood culture bottles, improperly labeled/identified specimen. Grossly contaminated specimen. Delay in transport or transport at wrong temperature.



TEST DETAILS
Reference interval: 

No Legionella species isolated


Critical values/courtesy alerts: 
Legionella species isolated
CPT code(s):  87081
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Isolation and identification of Legionella species. Bacterial identification performed as appropriate. Additional charge may apply. All isolates are sent to the PA State laboratory for confirmation.


Methodology: 
Culture
Synonyms: 

LEGIONELLA, LC, LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE, PNEUMOPHILA


Clinical significance: 

A positive Legionella culture result is indicative of active disease. The most common type of Legionella species associated with pulmonary disease is Legionella pneumophilia serogroup 1. Legionella culture can detect all species of Legionella, while the Legionella urinary antigen detects only Legionella pneumophilia serogroup 1.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM)
Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM)
Review Date:  12/31/2024

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