Legionellosis - direct diagnosis - PCR

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Eurofins Biomnis code

LEGBM

Synonyms
  • Legionella pneumophila - PCR
Specialty

Infectious

Clinical significance

Legionella pneumophila has 15 serogroups, with serogroup 1 responsible for 85% of cases of legionellosis in France. These are saprophytic bacteria found in the aquatic environment (lakes, rivers, marshes, water pipes, aerosols). Legionella pneumophila causes acute community-acquired pneumonia in humans. The main route of transmission in humans is inhalation of infectious aerosols from aquatic environments. No human-to-human transmission has been reported. There are proven risk factors associated with the onset of legionellosis: smoking, diabetes and immunodepression. After an incubation period of 2 to 10 days, the patient presents with a flu-like syndrome accompanied by respiratory signs frequently associated with extra-respiratory signs (digestive and/or neurological) that may progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome.Urinary soluble antigen is most often used to diagnose legionellosis, but this technique only detects Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. Isolation of Legionella pneumophila in culture enables a definite diagnosis to be made and epidemiological monitoring to be carried out, but culture takes time. Indirect diagnosis uses serological methods based on the detection of specific antibodies to Legionella pneumophila in patients' serum. This is usually a retrospective diagnosis. Detection of Legionella pneumophila directly from the biological sample (respiratory samples) by gene amplification may be used as a first-line treatment or if the antigenuria is negative and associated with a strong suspicion of legionellosis. This PCR technique is both sensitive and rapid. It is performed primarily on bronchoalveolar lavages, sputum, bronchial aspirations and pleural fluids. Legionellosis is a reportable disease.

Preanalytics
  • A tube specifically for this analysis : No
Further information

[To be translated]
The use of the S14UK transport bag is Mandatory.
Swab samples require the use of a transport medium (viral) supplied in kit K1.
Samples (other than swabs) must be sent as they are, in sterile bottles, without transport medium.

Specific equipment available
  • S14: Special mycobacteria transport bags are to be used
Documents to download
Methodology

Real-time PCR

Turnaround time

1 day

Testing Laboratory

Biomnis Lyon

Contact(s)
Customer Care