About Legionella
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by inhaling Legionella bacteria, particularly serotypes 1 and 6. Resilient and resistant to typical water treatment methods, these bacteria often contaminate systems like hot tubs, showers, or cooling towers, posing health risks when inhaled. At AEL, we prioritize public health with our Legionella Testing Services, crucial in environments with complex water systems. With expertise in analyzing both potable and non-potable water, our experienced team ensures thorough testing processes.
Who Should Test For Legionella?
Building owners and managers of facilities with water systems that pose a risk for Legionella growth should consider testing. This includes:
AEL Legionella Testing Services
AEL offers comprehensive Legionella testing services to help you ensure the safety of your water systems. We understand that protecting public health is a priority, and we are committed to providing accurate and reliable results.
- Fast and Reliable Results: We provide sampling and courier services across most areas of FL, ensuring prompt turnaround times (TAT) to meet our clients’ needs.
- Comprehensive Legionella Testing Solutions at AEL: As a CDC Elite Laboratory Program Member, AEL offers the gold standard plate culture method alongside the IDEXX Legiolert test.
- Trusted Legionella Testing Services at AEL: At AEL, we offer independent Legionella testing and analysis services. Rest assured, our commitment to unbiased and comprehensive results ensures accuracy and reliability.
- Commitment to Customer Service: We provide exceptional customer service and will work with you to ensure a smooth and efficient testing process.
Legionella Testing Methods
IDEXX Legiolert (presence/absence):
- This rapid test method detects the presence or absence of Legionella pneumophila bacteria in a water sample. The Legiolert test utilizes a simple and easy-to-use format, allowing for the detection of Legionella pneumophila, the primary causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease, in just .
- Summary of method: This method involves adding a reagent to a water sample, which triggers a reaction if Legionella pneumophila bacteria are present. The reaction produces a brown color indicator, which is then quantified. The Legiolert test is highly sensitive, detecting low levels of Legionella bacteria, and has been validated for use in various water types, including potable water, cooling tower water, and wastewater.
- Sample collection: AEL provides for sample collection. Sample must be analyzed within 48 hours of collection.
- Results: This test offers a rapid, reliable, and cost-effective solution for determining Legionella presence (positive or negative) in water samples as low as < 1.0 MPN/100 mLs.
CDC Elite (spread plate method):
- AEL is a member of the CDC Elite program that can isolate Legionella from water samples. The method employs a spread plate technique for detecting and enumerating Legionella bacteria in water samples.
- Summary of method: Initially, the water sample is serially diluted to various concentrations. Subsequently, small volumes of each diluted sample are spread evenly across specialized agar plates selective for Legionella species. These plates are then incubated at a specified temperature for a predetermined duration, typically spanning several days. During this incubation period, Legionella colonies proliferate, forming discrete colonies on the agar surface. The number of colonies present on each plate serves as an indicator of Legionella concentration in the original water sample.
- Sample collection: Like IDEXX Legiolert, AEL provides pre-sterilized containers for sample collection.
- Results: This test provides information on whether the results are negative or positive for Legionella presence, along with identifying the specific Legionella species present in the water sample and quantifying the number of colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter.
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Contact AEL for Pricing & Information:
For a free quote on Legionella testing services, please contact us 904-363-9350 or email sales@aellab.com with your request and a local lab AEL Project Manager will contact you.
We look forward to partnering with you to ensure the safety of your water systems!