Market Trends of Global Legionella Testing Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Legionella Testing Market according to our research experts:
Urinary Antigen Test (UAT) Segment is Expected to Hold a Major Market Share in the Legionella Testing Market
Urinary Antigen Test (UAT) is a diagnostic tool, which provides rapid outcomes, with usually same-day results. Additionally, UAT is not resource-specific and technically intensive like culture-based tests. Since UAT does not require respiratory fluid samples, issues of sensitivity are also overcome. according to the study published in the MDPI Journal in March 2021, titled "Evaluation of Four Lateral Flow Assays for the Detection of Legionella Urinary Antigen" stated that Legionella UATs had an overall sensitivity and specificity of 53.9-61.5% and 90.0-94.9%, respectively. However, Legionella UATs for L. pneumophila serogroup detection exhibited sensitivities and specificities ranging from 55.5-96% and 95.6-100%, respectively. Thus, the good sensitivity and specificity of UAT testing in the diagnosis of Pneumonia and legionnaires disease is expected to boost the segment growth.
Moreover, according to the study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in February 2022, titled "Global Perspective of Legionella Infection in Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies" the average incidence of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) was 46.7 per 100,000 people. Legionella was found to be the causal agent of CAP in 4.6% of cases. As a result, the average Legionella incidence rate in 2020 was 2.8 per 100,000 population. Thus, the growing incidence of pneumonia and legionnaires-associated diseases is expected to boost segment growth.
However, over the forecast period, this test category is expected to grow significantly, because it provides differential advantages, like detection of entire serogroups associated with legionella and rapid testing. Its widespread use in the current market is limited due to the high cost of PCR techniques.
North America is Expected to Hold a Significant Share in the Market and Expected to do Same During the Forecast Period
North America has dominated the market studied, due to the increasing cases of patients suffering from legionella infections and the presence of key players in this region. Additionally, to manage the prevalence of legionnaires diseases, the Government of the United States is increasing awareness among the general public with the environmental legionella isolation techniques Evaluation (ELITE) program, which may further augment the growth of the market. According to the National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health in June 2022, the documented prevalence of legionellosis in Canada is growing, with over 600 cases reported in 2019. The majority of outbreak-related deaths are linked to Legionella exposure from infected contaminated cooling towers, which can expose numerous people over a wide area.
Additionally, various strategies adopted by the key market players are expected to fuel the market growth. For instance, in December 2021, Pace Analytical Services, a division of Pace Science and Technology Company and the preferred provider of in-lab, mobile, and emergency onsite specialty-contaminant and regulatory testing and analysis services, reported the acquisition of Special Pathogens Laboratory, a market leader in Legionella testing, detection, remediation, and prevention. Thus, owing to the above factors the market is expected to show growth over the forecast period in North America.
