Additional Info: Legionella infection is associated with two clinically and epidemiologically distinct illnesses. Legionnaires disease and Pontiac fever. Legionnaires disease is characterized by fever, cough, myalgia, and pneumonia, whereas, Pontiac fever is a milder illness without pneumonia. Inhaling aerosols of water contaminated with Legionella species is believed to be the primary mode of infection; the incubation period is generally 2-10 days. A 4-fold rise in IgG IFA Antibody titer to >1:128 between acute and convalescent sera may be used in the laboratory confirmation of Legionella infection.
Useful For:
Methodology: Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA)
Specimen Requirements: 1 yellow-top SST tube (minimum: 0.5 mL of serum). Centrifuge SST 30 minutes after draw. Refrigerate specimen after collection.
NOTE: Paired sera, 2-3 weeks apart, are advisable to detect rising titers.
Analytical Time: 2-4 days
Days Set Up: Tuesday through Saturday
CPT Information:
86713 – per antibody