Rapid diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease.

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was developed to detect urinary antigen excreted by patients with Legionnaires' disease. Of 47 patients tested, antigen was detected in 39. Antigen was not detected in any of 178 urine specimens from patients with other pulmonary, bacteremic, or urinary tract infections after performance of a quick and simple confirmatory test. The assay required more time to perform than a previously described radioimmunoassay but was of equivalent sensitivity and specificity and did not require expensive equipment of contact with radioactive reagents. We conclude that enzyme linked immunosorbent assay is a rapid, sensitive, and specific means for rapidly diagnosing Legionnaires' disease which can be performed in clinical laboratories unwilling or unable to use radioisotopes.