Legionella species

• Isolate submission is REQUIRED for laboratories.
• Clinical specimens MUST be frozen (-15 C or lower) within 48 hours of collection.

• None

• Clinical Specimens

- Lower respiratory sources such as bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial aspirate/brushing/lavage/washing, tracheal/endotracheal secretions/aspirate, or sputum collected in a sterile container

- Fresh tissue or biopsy sources such as lung, pleura, heart valve, or pericardium collected in a sterile container

• Isolates

-Pure cultures from normally sterile sites on Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract (BCYE) or equivalent media

• Specimen must be labeled with at least two unique patient identifiers and match accompanying PH-4182 Clinical Submission Requisition.

• None

• Clinical specimens should be stored at 2-8°C for no more than 48 hours. Specimens that are not transported/tested within 48 hours should be frozen at (-15)°C or lower.
• Isolates should be stored under ambient conditions.

• Clinical specimens 

- If  shipment will arrive within 48 hours of collection, ship overnight at 2-8°C with cold packs.

- Frozen specimens should be maintained at (-15)°C or lower and shipped overnight on Dry Ice. 

• Isolates

- Ship at ambient temperature.

- Do not send refrigerated or frozen 

• All infectious substance shipments must conform to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR 49 C.F.R. Parts 171-180). 

• Urine is not accepted for antigen testing. 
• Specimens that do not meet all specimen requirements will be rejected.

• Nashville