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Test Code LAB877 Culture, Acid Fast Bacillus with Stain

AKA

AFB, Acid Fast Bacillus Culture, TB Culture, Mycobacteria

 

Specimen Type/Requirements

Gastric Contents:  Must be processed immediatley after collection. Send to lab promptly.

 

Respiratory: Bronchial Washings, BAL.  Send 10 mL in sterile container.

 

Sputum: Submit specimen in sterile container. Three-separate collections each with their own order, one of which is a first morning collection, collected at 8-24-hour intervals,  is the general recommendation for culturing patients with clinical findings compatible with tuberculosis. 24-hour collections are not acceptable.

 

Tissue: Collect material using sterile technique.  Place in a sterile container with a small amount of sterile saline or on a sterile gauze pad with small amount of sterile saline. 

 

Sterile Fluid: Pleural, throacentesis, etc.: Send 10 mL of fluid in sterile container. CSF: Send 1 mL minimum.

 

Urine: Submit specimen in sterile container. Three-separate collections each with their own order, one of which is a first morning collection, collected at 8-24-hour intervals,  is the general recommendation for culturing patients with clinical findings compatible with tuberculosis. 24-hour collections are not acceptable.

 

 

For Blood, please refer to BLOD1118 Culture, Acid Fast Bacillus, Blood for specimen requirements. 

 

Swabs are not acceptable.  Anaerobic gel media is not acceptable.  

 

Bone Marrow:  Send in a Yellow top SPS Tube or Sterile Container

 

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services Note:

Tissue specimens may be placed in anaerobic transport gel during collection.  Before shipping to Sanford, the laboratory will dissect a portion of the specimen and place it in a sterile conical jar with sterile saline.  Saline is added to insure the specimen is prevented from drying.  Anaerobic transport gel will not inhibit growth of AFB.

Additional Information

Body fluids: Concentration and Acid Fast Bacilli Stain by Fluorochrome will be performed when there is sufficient sample quantity available at an additional charge.

 

Identification will be performed if indicated and an additional fee (per organism) may be applied.

Susceptibility testing will only be performed upon request at an additional fee (per organism).

Performed Test Frequency

Monday through Friday

Methodology

Culture/Stain

CPT

87116, 87206, 87015  

Performing Lab

Sanford Laboratories Sioux Falls

Analytical Time

Stain: Monday through Friday

Culture: 8 -12 weeks

Stability/Transport

 Room Temperature     7 days     
 Refrigerated     7 days  (Except CSF, Bone Marrow - See note below)     Preferred for transport   
 Frozen     N/A     

Note:   CSF and Bone Marrow should be Room Temperature Only