A staphylococcal coagglutination test for detecting and serogrouping Legionella pneumophila.

For detection of Legionella pneumophila and determination of its serogroup, the modified staphylococcal coagglutination test was studied in detail. Cross-reactions in serum-agglutination tests were observed among serogroups, but immunoglobulin-coated staphylococcal cells could detect L. pneumophila with high sensitivity (a cell concentration with an absorbance of 0.008 at 660 nm could be detected) and serogroups could be determined without cross-reactions. Moreover the coexistence of other bacteria did not affect the results of the test. These results suggest that the staphylococcal coagglutination test is useful for detection and identification of Legionella, especially in environmental samples, and for serogrouping of isolates of L. pneumophila from clinical specimens.