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Test ID: LAGU    
Legionella Antigen, Urine

Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference

The BINAXNOW Legionella Urinary Antigen Test is an immunochromatographic membrane assay to detect Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 soluble antigen in human urine. Rabbit anti-Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antibody (the patient line) is adsorbed onto nitrocellulose membrane. Goat, antirabbit IgG (the control line) is adsorbed onto the same membrane as a second stripe. Rabbit anti-Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antibodies are conjugated to visualizing particles that are dried onto an inert fibrous support. The resulting conjugate pad and the striped membrane are combined to construct the test strip. This test strip and a well to hold the swab specimen are mounted on opposite sides of a hinged, book-shaped test device.

 

To perform the test, a swab is dipped into the urine specimen, removed, and then inserted into the test device. Reagent A is added from a dropper bottle. The device is then closed, bringing the specimen into contact with the test strip. Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 urinary antigen captured by immobilized anti-Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antibody reacts to bind conjugated antibody. Immobilized goat anti-rabbit IgG also captures visualizing conjugate, forming the control line. A positive test result is visually read in 15 minutes or less depending on the concentration of antigen present in the urine specimen. A negative result, read in 15 minutes, indicates that Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen was not detected in the urine specimen.

 

The test is interpreted by the presence or absence of visually detectable pink-to-purple colored lines. A positive result will include the detection of both a patient and a control line, while a negative assay will produce only the control line. Failure of the control line to appear, whether the patient line is present or not, indicates an invalid assay. (Package insert: BINAXNOW Legionella Urinary Antigen Test, Binax, Inc., Portland, ME, 1999)

Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.

Monday through Friday; 12 p.m.

Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.

1 day

Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result

4 days

Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded

7 days

Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test

Rochester