Pre-Approval Required

None

Supplemental Information or Form

1.    Pure, viable subculture

2.    Completed submittal form with 2 patient identifiers (e.g. name and date of birth), collection date and source, a brief but complete patient history, cultural history and submitting laboratory’s findings

3.    Documentation that indicates the role of this isolate in clinical disease

4.    Form LAB 446

Performed on Specimens From

Sputum, lower respiratory tract, less commonly pleural fluid, blood, and rarely various others

Acceptable Sample/Specimen Type for Testing

A pure, viable subculture of a suspected Legionella sp. isolate

Minimum Volume Required

N/A

Storage & Preservation of Sample/Specimen Prior to Shipping

None

Transport

Tubed agar medium with a secured screw cap.  Alternatively, blocks of BCYE agar may be aseptically cut from plates and then inserted into tubed agar medium of another type with a secured screw cap.

Sample/Specimen Labeling

Patient's name, date of subculture, and organism suspected

Shipping Instructions which Include Specimen Handling Requirements

1.    Grow isolate under appropriate conditions and verify purity prior to shipping.

2.    Ship at ambient temperature using appropriate DOT/IATA approved shipping procedures.

Test Methodology

As needed - Growth preference, Gene Sequencing by PCR, and/ or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Turnaround Time

1 month

Interferences & Limitations

Mixed or nonviable culture

Additional Information

Please contact the MDL Bacterial Diseases Section (Reference Bacteriology Unit) for special consideration if any of the above criteria cannot be met.

MDL Points of Contact

Reference Bacteriology Unit (510) 412-3903

Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM PT

Email: MDL.Submissions@CDPH.ca.gov