Real-Time PCR for Detecting Legionella Species and Discriminating Legionella pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila is the causative species in most cases of Legionnaires' disease (LD). CDC scientists have developed a real-time PCR assay capable of detecting all Legionella species and discriminating L. pneumophila from other Legionella species. LD is typically difficult to diagnose from a clinical standpoint as it confers no unique clinical features or symptoms. This assay provides a rapid and accurate alternative to laborious PCR assays, prone to aberrant results. It provides a sensitive alternative for diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease and detection of L. pneumophila.

Potential Commercial Applications:		Competitive Advantages:
Diagnostic for Legionnaires’ disease Detection of all Legionella species and specific discrimination of L. pneumophila		Faster than immunoassays Less laborious than current LD diagnostics Rapid, sensitive, and specific Curtails misdiagnoses associated with serological evaluations Easily adaptable to kit form

Development Stage:

• Early-stage
• In vitro data available

Inventors:

Robert Benson (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Brian Holloway (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Karen McCaustland (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...

Patrick Yang (CDC)  ➽ more inventions...


Intellectual Property:
US Application No. 61/138,727
PCT Application No. PCT/US2009/068461
US Application No. 13/140,922

Publications:
Yang G, et al. PMID 19438641

Licensing Contact:
Karen Surabian, J.D., M.B.A.
Email: karen.surabian@nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-9719

OTT Reference No: E-194-2013-0
Updated: Sep 19, 2013