Maintaining accurate Legionella testing results and safety is essential. Follow these key practices for optimal system performance and personnel protection.
- Protective Gear: Gloves and Clothing
- Decontamination Procedure
- Temperature Requirements: Cube and Sample Handling
- Sample Bottle Reuse: Cleaning Protocol
- System Shutdown: Laptop and Cube Maintenance
Protective Gear: Gloves and Clothing
To minimize exposure to potentially hazardous waterborne pathogens, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and lab coats. Given the risks associated with water samples, which may contain Legionella and other harmful bacteria, adhering to PPE guidelines is essential. Always follow local, regional, or national safety protocols, which may mandate specific protective clothing and gloves when handling biological samples.
Decontamination Procedure
If you suspect your testing system has been contaminated, such as by spillage of a biological sample or opening a post-run cartridge, please follow this decontamination procedure:
- Wipe Down: Use a paper towel moistened with a 10% bleach solution to wipe the testing system and any potentially contaminated areas around it. Avoid letting any liquid enter the Cube.
- Wait: Allow the bleach solution to sit on the cleaned areas for 15 minutes.
- Rinse: Use a cloth moistened with water to wipe away the bleach solution.
Temperature Requirements: Cube and Sample Handling
Cube
To ensure qPCR accuracy the GeneCount Cube should be operated indoors within the following temperature and humidity range:
- Ideal Temperature: 15-25°C with moderate humidity (20% to 70%)
- Placement: Keep the Cube out of direct sunlight and away from heating or cooling vents.
Sample Temperature
Store water samples at room temperature prior to testing. Both high and low temperatures may affect microbial concentrations and the accuracy of your results.
Storage and Handling for Test Kits
- Storage Temperature: Store test kits in a cool, dry area to prevent reagent degradation.
- Transportation: Maintain samples within the recommended range during transit, avoiding freeze-thaw cycles that can compromise test reliability.
Sample Bottle Reuse: Cleaning Protocol
To safely reuse sample bottles without risk of Legionella carryover, simply follow this cleaning method:
- Rinse the sample bottle thoroughly three times with clean water.
- Let it dry completely before using it again.
We’ve tested this approach in-house to ensure it’s effective. In our tests, we added 1000 GU/mL of Legionella bacteria to a bottle, emptied it, rinsed it three times with tap water, and then refilled it with a new sample. Every test after cleaning came back negative, confirming the bottle was ready for reuse.
If you’d prefer not to reuse sample bottles, you can use your own as long as the bottle opening can fit a 20 mL syringe for sample collection.
System Shutdown: Laptop and Cube Maintenance
For optimal performance and longevity of the testing system, it is advisable to power down the laptop and Cube weekly. Regular shutdowns help prevent software lags or connectivity issues, ensuring the system remains responsive and ready for accurate testing.
Weekly Power Cycle: Shut down the system each Friday or after the last test of the week. Restart it before your next testing session to ensure a fresh start.
Continuous Monitoring Requirement: No Mid-Test Pauses
Once the concentration process or any test begins, it must be completed without interruption. Pausing mid-test or stepping away can lead to inaccuracies, as the concentration procedure requires uninterrupted monitoring to maintain integrity in the results. Allocate sufficient time to oversee the test from start to finish.