Test ID: LEGI
Legionella Culture
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosis of Legionnaires disease
Because examination by rapid PCR increases sensitivity and provides faster results, Mayo Medical Laboratories strongly recommends also ordering LEGRP/89564 Legionella species, Molecular Detection, PCR.
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Conventional Culture
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Specimen Type: Bronchial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchus fluid, chest fluid, chest tube drainage, empyema, endotracheal specimen, fresh lung tissue, heart valves, induced sputum, lingula (lung), lung biopsy, pericardial fluid or tissue, pleura, pleural fluid, protected catheter brush, sputum, thoracentesis fluid, tracheal secretion, transbronchial biopsy, or transtracheal aspirate
Container/Tube: Sterile container
Additional Information: Specimen source is required.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, submit a Microbiology Request Form (Supply T244) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated | 48 hours |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
The Legionellaceae are ubiquitous in natural fresh water habitats, allowing them to colonize man-made water supplies, which may then serve as the source for human infections.
Legionella pneumophila and the related species, Legionella bozemanii, Legionella dumoffii, Legionella gormanii, Legionella micdadei, Legionella longbeachae, and Legionella jordanis have been isolated from patients with pneumonia (Legionnaires disease). The organism has been isolated from lung tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage, pleural fluid, transtracheal aspirates, and sputum. The signs, symptoms, and radiographic findings of Legionnaires disease are generally nonspecific.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
Negative
Positive specimens will be identified/speciated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Identification of Legionella species from respiratory specimens provides a definitive diagnosis of Legionnaires disease.
Organisms isolated are identified as Legionella species as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Although a semiselective media is utilized, recovery of Legionella in specimens heavily contaminated with indigenous flora (ie, sputum) may be difficult.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Edelstein PH: Legionella. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology. Tenth edition. Edited by J Versalovic. ASM Press, Washington, DC. 2007, pp. 770-785
2. CLSI Document MM18-A, Interpretive Criteria for Identification of Bacteria and Fungi by DNA Target Sequencing; Approved Guideline, Vol 28, Number 12, April 2008. CLSI, Wayne, PA
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Specimens are cultured on buffered charcoal-yeast extract based media (BCYE). Colonies may appear within a few days; however, cultures are incubated for 7 days before issuing a negative report. Molecular or proteomic approaches are used for identification of Legionella species.(Edelstein PH: Improved semiselective medium for isolation of Legionella pneumophila from contaminated clinical and environmental specimens. J Clin Microbiol 1981;14:298-303; CLSI Document MM18-A, Interpretive Criteria for Identification of Bacteria and Fungi by DNA Target Sequencing; Approved Guideline, Vol 28, Number 12, April 2008. CLSI, Wayne, PA)
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 Sunday; Continuously
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.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87081-Legionella culture
87077-Ident by MALDI-TOF mass spec (if appropriate)
87153-Aerobe ident by sequencing (if appropriate)
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| LEGI | Legionella Culture | In Process |
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