Legionnaires' disease is diagnosed by

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Legionnaires' disease is typically diagnosed through serological diagnostic procedures, such as the indirect fluorescent antibody test, which detect antibodies in the patient's blood specifically against Legionella pneumophila, the bacterium that causes the disease. This is because traditional culture methods for Legionella can be time-consuming and have low sensitivity, and Legionella is difficult to stain and visualize under the microscope. Clinical symptoms can also be used to support a diagnosis, but they are not specific to Legionnaires' disease and may overlap with other respiratory infections. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing is not typically used for diagnosis, as treatment of Legionnaires' disease relies more on empirical therapy and supportive care.

Legionnaires' Disease Is Diagnosed by