AFB Culture and Smear

Message

AFB Culture&Smear routinely added to all bronchial specimens and respiratory tissues.
AFB Culture &Smear routinely added to CSF specimens with > 4 lymphs or any polys.

Test Code

AFB CULTURE AND SMEAR(O)

Alias/See Also

Acid Fast Bacillus
Mycobacteriology

Includes

AFB Culture
AFB Smear

Preferred Specimen

Sputum, Bronchial specimens, Body Fluids, Tissues in saline, Urine

Minimum Volume

5-10 mls

Instructions

Early morning sputum preferred.
Specimen every 8 hours is optimal

Transport Temperature

RT < 2 hours

Specimen Stability

Refrigerated < 24 hours

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

No Swabs
No Specimens wrapped in guaze

Methodology
Acid fast smear.
Confirmation or idenitification to the complex or species level by Genprobe Accuprobe, and/or biochemical testing.

Setup Schedule

Mon - Fri

Report Available

Smear: 24 hrs
Culture: Reported upon growth of Acid Fast Bacillus
Negative culture reported at 60 days

Limitations

Low volume can lead to false negatives or delay of positive cultures.

Reference Range

Culture Negative

Performing Laboratory
Test performed by VA Connecticut Laboratory.

Last Updated: April 14, 2021

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.