Analytical Comparison Advantages and Disadvantages
ADVANTAGE The traditional culturing method offers the advantage of only quantifying viable legionella in the sample (as non-viable cells do not pose a health risk).
DISADVANTAGE Culturing and identification are both more time consuming and expensive than PCR.
Reporting Limits
TRADITIONAL CULTURE (CDC METHOD) Reporting Limit 1 cfu TRADITIONAL CULTURE (ISO METHOD) Reporting Limit 1 cfu
SOLUTION Combining methods may be the ultimate solution. Analysis with PCR can detect the presence of legionella rapidly, avoiding a potential delay of two weeks waiting for results. Culturing can then verify viability and identify the species and serogroups of the legionella isolated.
Legionella Testing 5
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