Legionella sp antibodies - serum
Last updated: Tuesday, 07, August, 2007
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5-10 mL blood in plain tube, collected at onset of disease and 4-6 weeks later (convalescent). |
| Method | IFA. |
| Application | Investigation of pneumonia. Fever. |
| Interpretation | Confirmation of legionella infection depends on detecting a four-fold increase in titre to ≥128. A single titre of ≥256 is suggestive of infection. Polyvalent antiserum is used to detect antibodies to serogroups 1-6 of L. pneumophila. Monovalent antisera are used to identify antibodies to other species, eg, L. longbeachae, L. micdadei. Seroconversion may take up to 6 weeks. A convalescent sample is required for optimal diagnosis. |
| Reference | Murdoch DR. Clin Infect Dis 2003; 36: 64-69. Waterer GW et al. Am J Med 2001; 110: 41-48. |