Comparison of rapid Legionella test types and risk assessment

The Hydrosense® test is an immunochromatographic assay test utilizing Lateral Flow Test (LFT) technology to detect Legionella pneumophila antigen. The Hydrosense test detects Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (LpSG1), the strain of the Legionella bacterium which has caused 88% of all cases of Legionellosis and which has been responsible, to date, for all known outbreaks of Legionnaire’s disease. Results are read after 25 minutes providing a qualitative result for the presence or absence of LpSG1. A semi-quantitative test reader is now available.

There are other rapid tests on the market, most of which are based on DNA detection, and go under the title PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests. PCR tests are not on-site. They require a sample to be sent to a specialist laboratory where sophisticated equipment and highly trained staff can implement the analysis, and interpret and report the results. Although testing is rapid the time from sample collection to receiving the results is typically greater than 24 hours, because of transport of water samples to the lab. Download a table Comparison table comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the most important analysis methods existing on the market.