ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory
| 0060152: AFB Culture (Includes AFB Stain 0060151) |
| Test Mnemonic: MC AFB | |
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Methodology: Standard reference procedures for stain and culture. Identification of AFB is ordered and billed separately. DNA probes are available for M. tuberculosis complex and M. avium-intracellulare complex as indicated. DNA sequencing and other molecular techniques are used for identification of other mycobacteria species. For drug susceptibilities, refer to Antimicrobial Susceptibility - AFB Mycobacteria (0060217).
Performed: Sun-Sat Reported: 1-49 days |
| Specimen Required: | |
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Collect: One of the following: 10-15 mL sputum, 5 mL CSF, 5-10 mL gastric aspirate, greater than or equal to 40 mL urine, greater than or equal to 5 mL body fluid, or tissue. Source of specimen is required.
Transport: Specimen in a sterile, leak-proof container at 2-8°C. Place each specimen in an individual sealed bag. Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Pediatric Collection/Transport: Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines. Remarks: Collection of early-morning specimens of urine and sputum on each of three consecutive days is optimum. Gastric lavage specimens must be neutralized with sodium carbonate if transport is delayed for more than four hours. Indicate if mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) are suspected. This may expedite identification. Clients will be notified of positive stain/culture. Acid Fast Stain will NOT be performed on stool specimens, CSF if less than 5 mL, or urine specimens if less than 40 mL; however, these specimens will be cultured. Unacceptable Conditions: Multiple same-site specimens (more than one in 24 hours), dry material, nonsterile or leaking containers, improper volume of sputum (less than 2 mL) or fluids (less than 1 mL), or material collected and transported on a SWAB. Stability: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 1 week; Frozen: 1 week |
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| Reference Interval: |
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Negative for acid-fast bacilli. Identification ordered and performed on positives. Susceptibility performed on all initial isolates of M. tuberculosis complex. Susceptibility performed on Mycobacterium other than M. tuberculosis complex isolates by request only. Susceptibility testing of M. gordonae is inappropriate. |
| Note: | |
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AFB stain, AFB identification of positives, and drug susceptibility tests are billed separately from culture. Identification of positive culture is billed by individual DNA probes and tests performed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplified Direct Detection (0060095) is available for respiratory specimens. For CSF specimens, order Mycobacterium tuberculosis Amplified Detection, CSF (0060063). The laboratory should be notified when the presence of Mycobacterium genavense is suspected as this organism will not grow on media routinely used for Mycobacterium isolation. For AFB culture on blood refer to Blood Culture, AFB (0060060). |
| CPT Code(s): | |
| 87116 Culture. CPT codes for identification and susceptibility vary based on method. |