Laboratory Analysis: Detection of Legionella in Water and Cooling Water
Absolute quantification of all Legionella present in a water sample. All bacteria of the genus Legionella and the species L. pneumophila are analyzed in parallel. The quantification is carried out in colony forming units (CFU) per analyzed volume (normally 100 ml). Absolute quantification means that every colony that has grown is analyzed.
You will receive the results on the 4th working day after receipt of the sample.
Qualitative or quantitative detection?
Absolute quantitative detection
How is the analysis carried out?
Your water sample is filtered and then incubated on GVPC agar for 3 days. The grown microcolonies are analyzed directly on the membrane using the reliable VIT® gene probe technology.
What are the requirements for the sample to be sent in?
- Sample: Drinking water, cooling water etc., min. 150 ml
- Biofilm: Please request our sampling protocol for biofilm samples
Our test kit is also recommended for on-site analysis:
Your Advantages
VIT® technology enables the targeted detection of individual microorganisms at population, genus or species level. The use of highly specific, rRNA-based gene probes ensures clear identification of the target organism directly in the sample.
The VIT® gene probes only hybridize with intact, metabolically active cells, as only these have sufficient quantities of ribosomal RNA. This means that only living Legionella and Legionella pneumophila are detected, while dead or inactive cells are excluded.
Complete detection is completed in just 3-5 hours - a decisive advantage over cultivation-based methods, which take several days due to enrichment, incubation and evaluation. The VIT® technology therefore enables significantly faster decisions in quality assurance, process control and release.
The VIT® technology is based on over 25 years of experience in the development of specific, fluorescence-labeled gene probes for microbiological analysis. It is characterized by high specificity, reproducibility and resistance to interfering matrices.
A particular advantage: as the method is based directly on rRNA and does not require enzymatic amplification steps, it is insensitive to inhibitors. False-positive results, which can occur with PCR-based test kits - especially in complex matrices - are therefore ruled out.
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