For the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection, consider sending:

  • blood cultures
  • urine for Legionella antigen detection
  • a throat swab for RSV / Influenza PCR.

If immunocompromised / in ICU:

a full respiratory BioFire FilmArray® multiplex PCR panel, which includes:

  • RSV
  • Metapneumovirus
  • Influenza
  • Adenovirus
  • Parainfluenza
  • Mycoplasma
  • Mycoplasma pneumoniae
  • Rhinovirus
  • Bocavirus
  • Coronaviruses (includes COVID-19 and MERS CoV).

Samples requesting atypical pneumonia serology are not processed.