Which diagnostic tests are recommended for confirming Legionnaires' disease in primary care settings?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025Updated: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

Diagnostic tests for confirming Legionnaires' disease are not specifically detailed in the provided UK guidelines for primary care settings. However, Legionnaires' disease diagnosis typically involves microbiological testing such as urinary antigen tests, culture of respiratory secretions, and PCR testing, which are usually performed in secondary care or specialized laboratories rather than primary care.

In primary care, the focus is on clinical suspicion and referral for appropriate testing and management. If Legionnaires' disease is suspected, urgent referral to secondary care for confirmatory testing and treatment is recommended.

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