Legionella Identification Services

Legionella Detection Program (an inclusive system approach)

History and research indicates that in order to provide accurate and meaningful testing results the complete Chain of Custody must be strictly adhered to.

We invoke ASTM, OSHA and ISO standards as bases for strict Chain of Custody compliance and all laboratory procedures.

 provides Legionella Sample Kits complete with all necessary collection tools.

SanAir provides standardized receiving and logging documentation for all presumptive Legionella samples.

PCR Analysis protocols:

• Our protocols use a two-step process for the identification of Legionella species from water sources. The first step is traditional culture using Buffered Charcoal Yeast Extract Agar (BCYE) with supplemental Cysteine and antibiotics. This type of media is selective for Legionella species while it simultaneously suppresses the growth of other contaminating organisms. Suspect bacterial colonies are then transplanted to two additional agar plates for presumptive identification. Because Legionella species grow more slowly than most other bacteria, this process takes approximately 5 - 10 days to complete.
• In the second step of the process, presumptive Legionella colonies undergo genetic analysis on our state-of-the-art Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzer. This instrument determines the precise DNA sequence of the 16S Ribosomal DNA gene from the presumptive Legionella colony. The sequence that we obtain is then compared to an internationally used library of gene sequences for identification. This type of analysis allows us to identify the organism to the species level with a 99.9% accuracy rate. This part of the analysis typically takes another 2 - 4 days to complete.
• By combining traditional methods with newer molecular biology approaches, SanAir Technologies Laboratory is able to provide accurate, reliable identification of Legionella species in a timely manner and at a lower cost to you.

Serogroup ID and the identification of other bacterium is attainable for all samples.

SanAir Legionella Analysis is DNA based for high accuracy, species level identification and no false negatives. SanAir has developed a comprehensive web-based reporting format indicating, in an easy to read graphical format, the number of colony forming units for Legionella at a site specific water system. (Examples: cooling towers, potable water systems, fountains, a/c systems, respiratory equipment, shower heads, ice makers, whirlpool bath treatment equipment, humidifiers, dialysis equipment, carpet cleaning equipment etc.)

We provide custom designed reporting formats including action plans for various ancillary disinfection and alerting functions.

We offer sample collection, packaging, transport and procedural training classes at the Lab and at your site. SanAir offers, through our partners, Legionella Management Programs.

A near real-time monitoring program is in development for bio-feed systems.

Testing is the first step in Prevention.