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Legionella confirmation/culture

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$25 | CPT Code: 87661| Serology Lab

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requires reporting of all suspected or confirmed cases of Legionella by physicians, health care providers, and laboratories within four (4) calendar days. Call 303-692-2700 or 303-370-9395 (after hours) to report suspected or confirmed Legionella cases.

Specimen submission is not the same as reporting. Positive findings must be reported using the appropriate avenues.

This testing is part of the Active Bacterial Core Surveillance (ABCs) program within the Emerging Infections Program (EIP). Only clinical laboratories that have an agreement with CDPHE are required to submit isolates of Legionella per 6 CCR 1009-1 and are eligible for fee-waived testing. 

Methodology

Culture

Acceptable specimen(s)

Microbial isolate specimen

Clinical specimen in sterile collection container:

  • Bronchial biopsy
  • BAL
  • Blood
  • Bronchial brush
  • Bronchial wash
  • Trans-tracheal aspirate
  • Sputum
  • Pleural fluid
  • Tissue
  • Urine

Specimen labeling

A minimum of two of the following are required on the specimen label:

  • Patient first and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Medical record number (MRN) or patient identification (ID)

The following information is optional, but highly preferred:

  • Collection date
  • The chain of custody number, if ordered through LabOnline

The lab will not process samples without appropriate identifiers on the label. Be sure the information on the label matches what is listed on the test order. Write legibly.

Specimen stability

Microbial isolate specimens
2-25° C : indefinite

Clinical specimens
2-8° C : 96 hours

Clinical specimens that will arrive at the State Lab > 96 hours from collection should be frozen. 

Turnaround time

None

Results will be available in LabOnline.

Rejection criteria

Incomplete or missing test order, incomplete specimen labeling, specimen collected in expired collection kits, transport tube with two swabs, using non-Aptima swabs, missing swabs, broken specimen containers, urine samples not in between the black fill lines, received out of hold time, received out of temperature.

Ordering in LabOnline

  • Profile: PHMCLCULT
  • Testing type: Legionella Confirmation/Culture
  • Matrix: Isolate

Contact information