What are the different Legionella tests?

Legionella is a type of bacteria that can cause two diseases: relatively small pontiac fever and potentially life -threatening legionary disease. While Legionella can usually be treated with antibiotics, early detection of these bacteria is critical for successful recovery. The common Legionella tests include urine antigen testing, sputum sampling and multi -stage blood testing. Two different diseases, Pontiac fever and legionary disease, are the result of infection with these bacteria. Pontiac fever is a slight condition that causes symptoms similar to flu that lasts a week or less and which generally do not require treatment. On the contrary, Legionnair's disease is a potentially life -threatening condition that occurs when Legionella bacteria infect the lungs. If the disease is not detected and treated early, it can cause lung, kidney and heart. Fortunately, there are three commonly used Legionella tests that can help doctors identify these bacteria. Urinary antigen screening is often the firstThe test used for legionella screening, partly because it brings quick results. Antigen is a material contained in bacteria or other foreign bodies that, when detecting the immune system of an infected person, promotes the creation of antibodies fighting against infection. When screening antigen in urine, urine sample is taken from an individual suspected of Legionell infection. The sample is then examined due to evidence of Legionel antigens.

If urine antigen screening shows evidence of Legionel antigens, other Legionella tests will usually be performed before diagnosis confirmation. Sputum sampling is a common method for confirmation of Legionella infection. You want to do this test, the infected person provides a sample of sputum, also known as PLEGM. This sample is sent to the laboratory where it is examined to determine whether it grows in Legionella. While sampling sputum can be among the most accurate teStyle Legionella, it takes longer to achieve results than screening antigen in the urine.

Multi -stage blood testing is also sometimes used to confirm Legionella infection. This form of testing involves using a blood sample as soon as possible after suspicion of infection with these bacteria and then take a second sample a few weeks later. Then the level of antibodies of the fight against Legionell is compared. A particularly higher level of antibodies in the first blood sample can verify suspicion of Legionella infection. As with sputum sampling, while this type of blood testing can be accurate, it takes time to achieve the results.