UW Hospital and Clinics Lab Test Directory
| Test Name: |
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Culture, Legionella
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| Test Code(s): |
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LEGCU / HCLEGCU
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| CPT Code(s): |
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87081
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| Methodology: |
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Culture, ID by Immunofluorescence
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| Clinical Significance: |
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To confirm a diagnosis of Legionnaire's Disease in the acute phase of illness.
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| Testing Site: |
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Testing will be sent to an approved reference laboratory.
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| Days Performed: |
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Mon-Fri.
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| Turnaround Time: |
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Routine: 4 - 10 days.
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Specimen Requirements
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| Collection Instructions: |
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Collect pea-sized piece of lung tissue or 5-30 ml of secretions (pleural fluid, transtracheal aspirate, sputum, bronchial wash, etc.). Specimens should be held at 4-8° C and should not be allowed to dry out. Add a small amount of sterile distilled water to lung tissue if necessary. Do not use sterile saline for specimen collection as Legionella sp. are inhibited by saline.
Urine specimens are not acceptable for culture. Refer to Legionella Urinary Ag (GM4910) if testing on urine is indicated.
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| Collection Container: |
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Preferred: Sterile screw cap container
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| Specimen Processing: |
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Keep refrigerated until transported to WSLH.
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| Specimen Transport: |
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Transport specimen to UWHC Core Laboratory (B4/220). Transport on coolant pack if coming from outreach location.
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Interpretation
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