EDLab Joins CDC Legionella ELITE Program

Tampa, FL – Legionnaires' disease (LEE-juh-nares) is caused by a type of a Gram-negative organism called Legionella. The bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of this disease, a type of pneumonia (lung infection). As per CDC, each year, between 8,000 and 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S. However, many infections are not diagnosed or reported, so this number may be higher. More illness is usually found in the summer and early fall, but it can happen any time of year.

The Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment, usually in water. The bacteria grow best in warm water, like the kind found in hot tubs, cooling towers, hot water tanks, large plumbing systems, or parts of the air-conditioning systems of large buildings. Legionella sp screening of the home or work environment is important especially for individuals with immune deficiencies such as allergies, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, emphysema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, etc… and it is desirable to identify legionella and its potential sources for effective treatment.

About the Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation (ELITE) Program:

Culture and enumeration of Legionella from environmental sources involves several steps including concentration of the bacteria, re-suspension, selective pre-treatments, and the use of complex media. Use of a suitable isolation protocol is critical for determining whether Legionella are present in a sample and at what concentration. According to the CDC, the ELITE Program was created as a way for laboratories to test their Legionella isolation techniques against standardized samples. Participating labs receive a panel of lyophilized test samples biannually.

The test samples are divided between Legionella positive or negative and may be mixed with other organisms commonly found in water. After reconstituting the test samples, participants process them according to their protocols and report their results. Labs that correctly identify Legionella from the test samples in two consecutive panels receive a certificate of proficiency and are listed as ELITE Members.  As a leading AIHA accredited  environmental microbiology laboratory we are excited to join and participate in the CDC ELITE program furthering our quality commitment to our clients.” stated Dr Rajiv Sahay, Director of EDLab.

For additional information on legionella lab analysis or testing services provided by EDLab please call 1-800-422-7873 ext 804.   
       
About Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab):

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab # EMLAP 102795 offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, allergen assays, microscopy and chemistry (partner lab) designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.
  
The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA);US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.
 
For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Services, Inc. please contact Ed Ziegler, VP, at 1-800-422-7873 x 804, or visit http://www.edlab.org/.

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This article EDLab Joins CDC ELITE Program has been revised to reflect changes from a previous article dated 02/03/10.