| Accredited Rapid Legionella Test | | |
| | Molecular Diagnostics for the Prevention of Legionellosis | | Reliable results in just a few hours
In Legionella control strategies, timeliness is not an option, but a necessity. Traditionally, verifying the effectiveness of a remediation or conducting periodic screening of plumbing and sanitation systems requires waiting several weeks. Today, thanks to advanced molecular diagnostics, it is possible to obtain clear and scientifically sound results in half a day.
The C.B.A. Chimica Biologia Ambiente laboratory offers its clients, in addition to the official culture-based method, an innovative accredited genetic technique that instantly detects Legionella DNA in potable water.
The Science Behind the Test: LAMP Technology The system used by our laboratory is based on Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP).
This technique represents an evolution of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) and essentially consists of the following three steps.
DNA Extraction: The genetic material of the bacteria is extracted from the water sample through a series of laboratory steps.
Amplification: Using specific enzymes at a constant temperature, the system replicates the target Legionella DNA sequences billions of times.
Detection: The presence of the bacterium is indicated in real time by an optical or fluorescent signal, which is automatically interpreted by a digital reader.
Comparative Analysis: Culture Method vs. LAMP Technique Understanding the difference between these two methods is essential for developing an effective self-monitoring plan. | Conventional Culture Method | LAMP Technique | | Turnaround Time | 2–3 weeks | A few hours | | Accuracy | High: detects only viable, cultureable bacteria | Very high: detects the DNA of all Legionella bacteria | | Risk of False Negatives | High: dormant bacteria (VBNC) | Minimal: detects the bacterium in any physiological state | | Emergency Management | Slow: not suitable for immediate response | Ideal for immediate post-remediation verification |
Benefits for the Facility
1. Immediate Decisions In the event of suspected contamination or following a thermal/chemical shock treatment, you will no longer have to wait two weeks to find out if the system is safe. Rapid molecular testing for Legionella in domestic hot water allows you to reopen a hotel wing or clear a ship for operation in just a few hours.
2. Detection of Dormant Bacteria Many Legionella bacteria enter a state called VBNC (Viable but Non-Culturable), where they do not grow on laboratory plates but remain infectious. The molecular method for Legionella, based on DNA, is capable of detecting these cells that would otherwise escape detection by culture-based methods.
3. Digital Traceability The system is integrated with digital interfaces that record the date, location, and test result, creating an infallible electronic self-monitoring log, ready to be presented to regulatory authorities.
Strategic Areas of Application Hospitality Facilities and Nursing Homes: Instant verification of water quality after periods of inactivity or maintenance of plumbing and heating systems.
Maritime Sector: Rapid screening of onboard water, tanks, and HVAC systems between ports.
Cooling Towers: Frequent monitoring to prevent the dispersion of contaminated aerosols in urban or industrial areas.
Legally Valid Certification: The accredited rapid molecular test is an excellent tool for self-monitoring and preventive screening for Legionnaires’ disease. Although our test is accredited, in accordance with current regulations, it must be used as a supplement to—and not as a replacement for—the official plate culture method.
For this reason, we offer our clients a dual analysis: an immediate result using the LAMP technique, followed by a legally valid result using the accredited culture-based method.
For more information, contact us with no obligation!
| | Today we’ll be open until 5:00 p.m. Our regular hours are: Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the lab is closed on Saturday and Sunday. | | |  |  |  | | |
| ACCREDIA-Accredited Laboratory |
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