Limiting Legionella testing to Legionella pneumophila serogroups 1–15 is no longer sufficient to ensure the safety and compliance of modern water systems. The ecology of Legionella is complex, diverse, and continually evolving. An effective monitoring strategy must account for this microbial variability to provide comprehensive protection.
The rqmicro flow cytometry-based platform enables four concurrent, quantitative measurements in approximately two hours - from sample preparation to result. This approach offers both speed and analytical depth, addressing the demands of water quality professionals.
rqmicro provides two kit options: one targeting L. pneumophila serogroups 1–15, and the other offering broad-spectrum detection of Legionella spp. (which includes all L. pneumophila serogroups 1–15) and other clinically relevant species. Below is guidance on selecting the appropriate kit for your application.
L.p. SG 1–15 COUNT Kit: Targeted Detection for Well-Characterized Systems
Designed for environments where L. pneumophila has been previously identified and where microbial diversity is limited or well understood, this kit offers precise detection of serogroups 1 through 15. It is ideally suited for verifying control measures and maintaining routine surveillance in stable systems.
However, relying solely on this targeted approach carries the risk of overlooking emerging or atypical Legionella species - potentially allowing undetected colonization that could compromise system safety.
Legionella spp. COUNT Kit: Broad-Spectrum Coverage for Complex Environments
This comprehensive detection kit is engineered to identify a wide range of Legionella species, including, but not limited to, L. pneumophila serogroups 1–15. It encompasses clinically significant species such as L. longbeachae, L. bozemanae, and others increasingly associated with outbreaks and contamination events.
For newly commissioned systems, biofilm-rich environments, or facilities with high public health risk (e.g., healthcare, hospitality, and critical infrastructure), this kit provides essential insight into potential microbial threats that may otherwise go unnoticed.
How Flow Cytometry Enhances Legionella Detection
The rqmicro detection method uses fluorescently tagged binders that adhere specifically to Legionella cells, which are then quantified via laser interrogation. This allows for high-resolution, reproducible results expressed as viable cells per 100 mL, delivered within approximately two hours.
Unlike culture-based methods, which are generally slow and often imprecise, flow cytometry delivers timely and actionable data that integrates seamlessly into operational decision-making.
Selecting the Right Kit: Application-Based Recommendations
Stable, well-characterized systems: Use the L.p. SG 1–15 COUNT Kit to confirm control efficacy and monitor known L.p. SG 1–15 threats.
Newly built or renovated systems: Choose the Legionella spp. COUNT Kit to assess baseline microbial diversity and detect non-pneumophila species early.
Unexpected microbial fluctuations: Deploy the broad-spectrum Legionella spp. COUNT Kit to investigate possible colonization by overlooked Legionella species.
High-risk or regulated environments: The comprehensive Legionella spp. COUNT Kit offers the greatest assurance of safety and compliance.
Stay Ahead of Microbial Risks
Water systems are dynamic environments, and so are the microbial communities within them. A testing strategy focused solely on a single species or subset of serogroups is insufficient and potentially hazardous.
Incorporating a quantitative assessment of viable Legionella spp. into your routine monitoring equips your operation with a more complete understanding of system microbiology, reducing risk and enhancing preventative measures.
Get Started
To learn more about the rqmicro test method, receive detailed testing protocols, or consult with our technical experts, contact us today.
Let us help you build a Legionella detection program that’s as advanced and adaptable as the systems you protect.