Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen - urine
Last updated: Tuesday, 07, August, 2007
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 10 ml urine. |
| Method | EIA. A rapid card test is also available but is not as sensitive as EIA. |
| Application | Investigation of pneumonia possibly due to infection with Legionella pneumophila. |
| Interpretation | The test has good sensitivity and specificity for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 only. It will be negative in cases due to infection with other serogroups of Legionella pneumophila or other species. The proportion of cases of legionella pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 varies from 40% to 70% in different regions. The test is usually positive when patients present with clinical pneumonia and may remain positive for weeks following clinical resolution. |
| Reference | Waterer GW et al. Am J Med 2001; 110: 41-48. Sopena N et al. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2002; 21: 845-848. |