Legionella pneumophila
Clinical Specimen Submission Guidance
Submit all specimens to 150 Richmond Street, Suite 100, Providence, RI 02903. Open Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Learn how and where to drop off your lab samples at our Laboratory Central Services webpage.
Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory 401-222-5586
Legionella pneumophila
Legionellosis (Legionnaires Disease)
Identification/Confirmation of Legionella species isolates
Pure isolate (<48 hours old) received on a slant of appropriate media (BCYE) secured with a screw cap.
Isolates on plated media are acceptable if plates are sealed with parafilm or other appropriate barrier film
CLIA regulations require specimens be labeled with at least two patient identifiers. Examples of identifiers are first and last name, date of birth, chart/medical record number. The specimen container must be labeled to match the test requisition or the electronic order.
Rhode Island State Health Laboratories (RISHL) test requisition form https://health.ri.gov/forms/LabRequisitionForm.pdf
Bacterial Isolate
Write "L. pneumophila " under Comments/Other Test Requests
Transport isolates at ambient temperature (15° to 30° C) as soon as possible after identification/isolation.
Specimens must be packaged & transported in accordance with current federal shipping regulations.
The following rejection criteria will be used to ensure accurate specimen information and specimen condition for testing:
- Specimen received outside acceptable transport range
- Demographics different / Unable to read identifiers on specimen
- Two identifiers required on specimen
- Expired / Incorrect collection kit
- Insufficient quantity
- Urine cup received
- No specimen received
- Specimen leaked in transit
- Test not evaluated in adolescents <14
- Specimen too old
Providers must report patient information on Legionellosis within 4 days using the RIDOH reportable disease form.
Isolate confirmation: within 2 business days
Containers specifically labeled for transport of specimens and isolates to the RISHL Special Pathogens & Biothreats Laboratory are available in all Microbiology Laboratories and Laboratory Send-out Departments.