Legionella pneumophilia Antibodies, IgG, Serum

Legionellae are fastidious gram-negative aerobic bacilli that do not grow on most standard media. Legionellae occur naturally in a wide variety of aquatic habitats and in soil as well as man-made structures.L. pneumophilia is the major pathogen and the most frequently encountered member of the group. Outbreaks of pneumonia have occurred after inhalation of contaminated water droplets from water sources such as evaporative coolers, hot tubs, heating systems and respiratory therapy equipment. Legionella infection does not present with a distinctive clinical syndrome; it cannot be reliably differentiated from pneumonia due to other bacterial pathogens based on signs and symptoms. Laboratory findings do not distinguish L. pneumonia from that due to other bacteria. Most patients will demonstrate leukocytosis with a predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Mild elevations of transaminase levels and alkaline phosphatase are common. Hyponatraemia occurs in approximately one-third of patients.

While seroconversion alone can be used for the diagnosis of infection, such diagnoses should be regarded as presumptive unless there are supporting microbiologic or epidemiologic data.

1 ml Serum Room Temperature

Negative: < 1/100 Titre