MICA Legionella: An AOAC Performance Tested Method 

What was evaluated in this certification?

Scope of the program: Detection of Legionella pneumophila, all serogroups, in hot sanitary water (HSW) and cooling towers (CT) within 48 hours.

• The AOAC evaluation focused on inclusivity/exclusivity analysis to demonstrate MICA Legionella‘s ability to specifically detect all serogroups of Legionella pneumophila.
• The study also aimed to test the detection of Legionella pneumophila in actual HSW and CT matrices, equivalent to the ISO 11731 reference method.
• A reproducibility test of production batches, as well as their stability over 18 months, was demonstrated as part of this certification.
• A robustness test was also conducted, showing that analysis via MICA Legionella provided reliable and consistent results even under varied sampling conditions and water types.

Finally, an external study by the American independent laboratory Q-Lab, accredited ISO 17025, showed that MICA Legionella can be more efficient than the standard reference method.

What is AOAC PTM certification?

This evaluation was conducted by an independent body whose purpose is to verify that the specifications announced by a manufacturer of a microbiological kit or solution are real, reliable, and robust.

AOAC INTERNATIONAL is an independent, non-profit association recognized worldwide, comprising professionals in analytical sciences from government, industry, and academia. Its primary mission is to advance food safety and product integrity through standards, validated testing methods, and laboratory quality programs.

Using AOAC PTM certified methods contributes to establishing high standards in analytical quality, ensuring accurate, reproducible, and reliable results. This is particularly important in areas where crucial decisions are made based on data obtained from analyses.

Why is it important for MICA Legionella to be AOAC PTM certified?

This certification is important for Diamidex as it is a mark of quality. It guarantees that our MICA Legionella solution truly functions as announced. It detects all serogroups of Legionella pneumophila, extremely specifically, in 48 hours, in HSW and CT, in a reproducible manner.

The evaluation conducted by an independent laboratory, free from any direct financial or personal interest, offers assurance of objective results. The robustness of our analyses allows, every day, in the field, to improve the processes of microbiology laboratories around the world.

What is next ? 

Now that the MICA Legionella solution has proven its effectiveness and reliability against ISO 11731, Diamidex continues to optimize its operation with MICA Advance Legionella. Our goal is to minimize the carbon impact of this solution as much as possible to achieve quality and responsible results. The carbon footprint of a microbiological detection process goes beyond the machine’s operation and requires attention to detail that is already bearing fruit.