1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests for suspected legionellosis.
- Culture detection from swabs, tracheal secretions, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL; sample collection method used during bronchoscopy (lungoscopy)) [gold standard].
- Antigen detection in urine (from 24 h after infection by ELISA/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or detection of Legionella DNA by PCR/polymerase chain reaction.
The direct or indirect detection of the pathogen is reportable according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), as far as the evidence indicates an acute infection.