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Test Directory

Legionella Pneumophila Antigen, DFA

Test Summary

Bacteria in the genus Legionella primarily cause respiratory illness, i.e., either Legionnaires' Disease, a systemic illness manifested primarily by pneumonia, or Pontiac Fever, a non-pneumonic, influenza-like illness. Legionellae may also cause a variety of other illnesses.

Aliases

  • N/A

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

1 gram fresh (unfixed)lung or other respiratory tissue submitted in a sterile leak proof container or 3 mL bronchial or transtracheal wash/lavage/aspirate or sputum or pleural fluid submitted in a sterile leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

1 g lung tissue or other respiratory tissue • 2 mL respiratory fluids

Instructions

Lung Tissue: Place into sterile container with a small amount of sterile, non-bacteriostatic, distilled water. Do not add saline because it may be inhibitory.

Sputum: Instruct patient to gargle with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

Sterile leak-proof container

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen: Unacceptable

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

Slides: serum; urine; expired transport device; environmental sources; specimens received in a viral transport media

Order Code

LEGNAG

EPIC (Premier) Code

LAB546

Includes

N/A

CPT Code

  • 87278

Billing Code

  • 700000

CPT Statement

Methodology

Direct Immunofluorescence Assay (DFA)

FDA Status

FDA Approved

Physician Attestation of Informed Consent

N/A

Testing Laboratory

Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly VA, 20153

Reference Range

Not detected

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day

Specimen Collection

Special Instructions

N/A

Preferred Specimen

1 gram fresh (unfixed)lung or other respiratory tissue submitted in a sterile leak proof container or 3 mL bronchial or transtracheal wash/lavage/aspirate or sputum or pleural fluid submitted in a sterile leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

1 g lung tissue or other respiratory tissue • 2 mL respiratory fluids

Instructions

Lung Tissue: Place into sterile container with a small amount of sterile, non-bacteriostatic, distilled water. Do not add saline because it may be inhibitory.

Sputum: Instruct patient to gargle with water and cough deeply to collect deep respiratory specimen in sterile container.

Patient Preparation

N/A

Storage

Sterile leak-proof container

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

  • Room temperature: Unacceptable
  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Frozen: Unacceptable

Limitations

N/A

Other Acceptable Specimens

N/A

Unacceptable Specimens

Slides: serum; urine; expired transport device; environmental sources; specimens received in a viral transport media

Billing

CPT Code

  • 87278

Billing Code

  • 700000

CPT Statement

Result Information

Methodology

Direct Immunofluorescence Assay (DFA)

Testing Laboratory

N/A

Reference Range

Not detected

Setup Schedule / Expected Turnaround Time

Monday - Saturday; Report available: 1 day