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Procedures for collecting and processing environmental specimens for Legionella spp
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Collect water (1-liter samples, if possible) in sterile, screw-top bottles.
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Collect culture swabs of internal surfaces of faucets, aerators, and shower heads in a sterile, screw-top container ( e.g., 50 mL plastic centrifuge tube). Submerge each swab in approximately 5 mL of sample water taken from the same device from which the sample was obtained.
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Transport samples and process in a laboratory proficient at culturing water specimens for Legionella spp, as soon as possible after collection.*
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Test samples for the presence of Legionella spp. by using semiselective culture media using procedures specific to the cultivation and detection of Legionella spp. †
Sources:
Barbaree JM, Gorman GW, Martin, WT, Fields, BS, Morrill WE.
Protocol for sampling environmental sites for legionellae. Appl Environ Microbiol 1987; 53: 1454-8.
CDC. Procedures for the recovery of Legionella from the environment. Atlanta GA : US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, 1992: 1-13.
Alary MA, Joly JR. Comparison of culture methods and an immunofluorescence assay for the detection of Legionella pneumophilia in domestic hot water devices. Curr Microbiol 1992; 24: 19-25.
Vickers RM, Stout JE, Yu VL. Failure of a diagnostic monoclonal immunofluorescent reagent to detect Legionella pneumophilia in environmental samples. Appl Environ Microbiol 1990; 56: 2912-4.
Flournoy DJ, Belobraydic KA, Silberg SL, Lawrence CH, Guthrie, PJ. False positive Legionella pneumophilia direct immunofluorescence monoclonal antibody test caused by Bacillus cereus spores. Diag Microbiol Infect Dis 1988; 9: 123-5.
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Samples may be transported at room temperature but must be protected from temperature extremes. Samples not processed with 24 hours of collection should be refrigerated. |
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Detection of Legionella spp. antigen by the direct fluorescent antibody technique is not suitable for environmental samples. |