Legionella culture identification
Registry Details
Area | Health Science |
Lab name | Legionella Reference Laboratory |
Lab location | Kenepuru Science Centre, Porirua |
Test name | Legionella culture identification |
Organisms | Any presumptive Legionella isolate |
Requested for surveillance | yes |
Notice required | no |
Routine turnaround time | 5 working days |
Culture requirements | Pure culture |
Media requirements | BCYE-α plate or slope |
Pre-transport requirements | Send without delay |
Transport requirements | Culture isolates must be sent in a sealed container at ambient temperature on solid media |
Unacceptable sample types | Mixed culture will delay result reporting |
How results reported | Identification to the species and serogroup level for Legionella bacteria. Non-Legionella bacteria will not be identified. |
Referral link | Form |
Details
Basic biochemistry tests including iron salts & L-cysteine dependence. Gram-staining and growth studies are also carried out.
Identity of Legionella species and serogroup is determined using a panel of species-specific labelled antibodies and/or molecular methods.
Information sheet on Legionella and Legionellosis [PDF, 137 KB]