ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Nocardia Culture (Includes Gram stain 0060101) : 0060093

Mnemonic: MC NOC

Methodology: Bacterial Culture
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: Within 14 days
Positive: As soon as detected
Final: Negative at 14 days
Specimen Required: Collect: Tissue, fluid, aspirate, or respiratory specimen. To submit a Nocardia isolate for identification, order Aerobic Organism Identification (0060115). To submit a Nocardia isolate for identification AND susceptibility, order Aerobic Organism Identification with Reflex to Susceptibility (0065070).

Storage/Transport Temperature: Fluid or aspirate in a sealed, sterile container. For tissue, submit in a sterile container with moist gauze.

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.


Remarks:  Culture also detects other actinomycetes (Streptomyces, Rhodococcus, Gordona, Tsukamurella, etc.).  Identification is by DNA sequencing for most isolates.

Unacceptable Conditions:  Refrigerated, frozen, leaking, or nonsterile containers.

Stability (collection to initiation of testing):  Ambient: 3 days; Refrigerated: Unacceptable; Frozen: Unacceptable
Reference Interval:
Culture negative for Nocardia species.
Note: If positive, identification is billed separately.  For susceptibility testing, order Antimicrobial Susceptibility - Nocardia (0060193).  Susceptibility testing should be performed on all significant Nocardia isolates.
CPT Code(s): 87070
Cross References: Culture, Nocardia
 
 

 

 

 
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