Eurofins Biomnis code

LEGAG

Synonyms

• Legionella pneumophila antigen
• Soluble antigen of Legionella pneumophila

Specialty

Infectious

Clinical significance

Legionella spp. are free-living bacteria which are common in deposits of warm water and which can be disseminated into the atmosphere in the form of an aerosol. The most common pathogenic species encountered in humans is L. pneumophila serotype 1 which can cause Legionnaires' disease, a combination of high fever, diffuse pneumonia and neurological symptoms. Other, self-limited, purely febrile forms of legionellosis (e.g. Pontiac fever) are known and many infections are probably completely asymptomatic. Early in the course of the disease, direct diagnosis is possible by means of immunofluorescence on cells from an appropriate specimen or alternatively, the disease can be specifically diagnosed by identifying this soluble antigen in urine by ELISA. Culture remains the reference method. The first step in any serological analysis is a screen including a pool of different strains and, if the result of this is positive (a titer of at least 64), serotype-specific antibodies are subsequently assayed. Seroconversion is a much better indicator than an isolated positive result.

Preanalytics

• 10 mL :
• Urine
•   Reftrigerated

• A tube specifically for this analysis : No

Further information

The use of the S14UK transport bag is Mandatory.
Urine stored with boric acid are accepted

Specific equipment available

• S14: Special mycobacteria transport bags are to be used

Documents to download

• information note (N23-INTGB)

Methodology

Immuno chromatography

Turnaround time

1 day