Test Detail

Acid Fast Bacillus Culture Panel (Mycobacterium tuberculosis Culture Panel)

Panel Components
Test Description		Contact: Diagnostic Microbiology (319) 335-4256 Test Request Form: Mycobacteriology/Mycology/Parasitology SHL OpenELIS Code: 1094, 1111
Mycobacterial culture and microscopy detection. Susceptibility will be performed at no charge if Mycobacterium tuberculosis is identified.
Acid Fast Bacillus 1, Acid Fast Bacillus Fluorescent Smear
Reflex Test(s)
Acid Fast Bacillus 2, 3, and 4 by Bacterial Culture, Isolate Identification by 16s rDNA Bacterial Sequencing, MTB Complex and Rifampin DNA by Nucleic Acid Amplification Cepheid GeneXpert, Organism Identification by Biochemicals by Bacterial Culture, Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolate Identification by MALDI-TOF Spectrometry, MALDI-TOF Preparation by Extraction, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex Susceptibility 1, 2, and 3 by Liquid Culture, Miscellaneous by Miscellaneous
Performed	Avg. Turnaround Time	Method
Coralville, M - F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.	10 - 30 business days	Bacterial Culture, Fluorochrome
Fee	CPT Code(s)
$39.57	87116, 87015, 87206
Specimen Requirements
Specimen Type:	3 - 10 mL respiratory specimen (Bronchial washings, Pleural fluid, Sputum), Tissue specimen, Bronchial brushings, Gastric specimen, Urine
Patient Preparation:	Sputum - Rinse the mouth out with water to reduce specimen contamination.
Collection Instructions:	Sputum: Collect three specimens at least eight hours apart ensuring that at least one specimen is a first morning collection. The healthcare professional must give instructions for producing sputum. The patient’s mouth should be clean before producing a specimen. Sputum should be coughed from deep in the chest and placed in a sterile specimen container. Pooled sputum specimens are unacceptable. Bronchial washings, pleural fluid, etc.: Place in a sterile 50 mL screw cap conical tube. TB Mycology specimen collection kits are available from SHL. Tissue specimens/Bronchial brushes: Add 4-5 mL sterile saline to a sterile 50 mL screw cap conical tube, and add the specimen. Gastric specimens: Add the first morning specimen to a sterile 50 mL screw cap conical tube containing 100 mg of sodium carbonate as a buffer. Specimens not clearly labeled as buffered will be rejected. TB Gastric specimen collection kits are available from SHL. Urine specimens: Add 40 mL (minimum of 10 mL) of first morning urine into a 50 mL screw cap conical tube. DO NOT use buffers. Specimen must be refrigerated within one hour of collection.
Shipping:
Specimens should be stored and shipped under the same conditions. Wrap specimen container in absorbent material and place inside a biohazard bag. Transport with cold packs. Specimens should be received by the testing laboratory within 24 hours of collection to prevent overgrowth of contaminants. Ship to the Coralville location.
Temperature and Stability:	Refrigerated (2-8°C) within 24 hours
Rejection Criteria:	Specimens will be rejected if received under these conditions: Leaked or respiratory samples under 1 mL. Specimens not received in the correct temperature ranges stated under "Temperature and Stability" will be rejected.
Expected Results:
Acid Fast Bacillus Culture 1: No Acid Fast Bacillus isolated after 3 weeks; Acid Fast Bacillus isolated, Identification to follow; Acid Fast Bacillus isolated; Contaminants present; Acid Fast Bacillus isolated with contaminants; Beaded, Branching Rod present, Identification to follow. Acid Fast Bacillus Fluorescent Smear: Positive (with Modifier), Negative.
Comments
Rapid delivery of temperature controlled specimens is essential for optimum recovery of acid fast bacilli.
Alternate Names
Mycobacterium species culture, TB culture, MTB Culture, Mycobacterium tuberculosis Culture