What Is Legionnaires Disease?
6. Legionnaires Disease Diagnosis
Legionnaires disease leads to pneumonia, a condition that can be diagnosed with an X-ray. Verifying that the cause of the pneumonia is L. pneumophila requires additional tests. Some of the most accurate test methods are not available in all hospitals.
Urine or sputum samples are collected to test for the presence of the bacteria. Sputum cultures can be stained and examined under fluorescent lighting to detect L. pneumophila or supplied with nutrients that cause the bacteria to grow. Antibody testing is another possible means of identifying Legionnaires disease.
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