Legionella confirmation using real-time PCR and SYTO9 is an alternative to current methodology.

The currently accepted culture techniques for the detection of Legionella spp. in water samples (AS/NZS 3896:1998 and ISO 11731 standard methods) are slow and laborious, requiring from 7 to 14 days for a result. We describe a fully validated rapid confirmation technique that uses real-time PCR incorporating the intercalating dye SYTO9 for the direct identification of primary cultures, significantly decreasing turnaround time and allowing faster remedial action to be taken by the industry.