ABSTRACT

Three Urinary Antigen Test kits the Alere BinaxNOW Legionella Urinary Antigen card, Quidel Sofia Legionella FIA and Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold Legionella Urinary Antigen PLUS were compared for sensitivity, specificity, ease of result interpretation and general ease of use. A total of 30 urine samples were tested with all three methods. Further a positive titration endpoint was determined to be the same with all three assays. The Quidel Sofia Legionella FIA and Alere BinaxNOW legionella Urinary Antigen card showed comparable result sensitivity (100%) and specificity (100%), the Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold Legionella Urinary Antigen PLUS showed a lower sensitivity (85%) and comparable specificity (100%). The Trinity Biotech Uni-Gold Legionella Urinary Antigen PLUS required more staff handling and subjective reading of the antigen band, the Binax assay was generally easier to use but also required subjective reading of the antigen band. The Sofia instrument provided an automated result not requiring manual interpretation but is limited to single unit analysis and a time management strategy for multiple testing. All three assays are acceptable for use for detecting L. Pneumophilia serogroup 1 from urine.