0060113
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Legionella Species, Culture

MC LEGION
Example Reports
Negative
Positive

Ordering Recommendation

Gold standard test; detects L. pneumophila and other Legionella species in clinical specimens.

New York DOH Approval Status

This test is New York state approved.

Specimen Required

Patient Preparation
Collect

Respiratory specimens: Abscess material, aspirates, BAL, fluids, secretions, sputum, or tissue; OR pericardial fluid or blood in a blood culture bottle.

Specimen Preparation

Fluids, respiratory: Transfer to a sterile container. Place each specimen in an individually sealed bag. (Min. 0.5 mL)
Tissue: Place on gauze moistened with sterile nonbacteriostatic saline to prevent drying and transport in sterile container.
Blood: Transport blood in a blood culture bottle filled according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Storage/Transport Temperature

Refrigerated. If delay in transport (greater than 48 hours), freeze at -60C or lower and transport on dry ice. Do not refrigerate or freeze blood culture bottles.

Unacceptable Conditions

Stool, urine, wounds, or other nonrespiratory sites. Dry specimens. Specimens in preservatives or viral transport medium (M4, UTM).

Remarks

Specimen source preferred.

Stability

Ambient: 2 hours; Refrigerated: 48 hours; Frozen: 1 week
Blood culture bottles: Ambient 48 hours; Refrigerated: unacceptable; Frozen: unacceptable

Methodology

Qualitative Culture

Performed

Sun-Sat

Reported

1-8 days
Negative culture reported at 8 days, negative bottles at 12. Positive culture reported as soon as detected.

Reference Interval

Interpretive Data



Compliance Category

Standard

Note

Amplified DNA testing (PCR) is also available for respiratory specimens. Refer to Legionella Species by Qualitative PCR (ARUP test code 2010125). Legionella pneumophila DFA (ARUP test code 2004598) is also available.
An additional processing fee will be billed for all blood samples in blood culture bottles.

Hotline History

View Hotline History

 

Hotline History

Date of Change
Test Name Change
Methodology
Performance/Reported Schedule
Specimen Requirements
Reference Interval
Interpretive Data
Note
CPT Code
Component Change
Other Interface Change
New Test
Inactive
07/20/2026
X
X
10/21/2024
X
X
X
N/A

CPT Codes

87081; Identification CPT codes may vary based on method

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Components

Component Test Code* Component Chart Name LOINC
0060113 Culture, Legionella species 593-4
* Component test codes cannot be used to order tests. The information provided here is not sufficient for interface builds; for a complete test mix, please click the sidebar link to access the Interface Map.

Aliases

  • Culture, Legionella sp.
  • L. pneumophila culture
  • Legionella Culture
Legionella Species, Culture