Mycobacteria, Culture, Identification, and TB/MAC Susceptibility

Test Code

14082

CPT Codes
87116

Includes

An additional charge for Concentration (CPT code(s): 87015) will be added as appropriate.

Identification will be performed at an additional charge for each organism: CPT code(s) 87118: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight, CPT code(s) 87153: AFB Sequencing

If TB is isolated for the first time or after three months after the first isolate from a patient, susceptibilities will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87190 per drug).

If M. avium complex (MAC) is isolated, appropriate susceptibilities will automatically be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 87186).

If other Mycobacteria species are isolated, appropriate susceptibilities can be performed at an additional charge if requested (CPT code(s): 87186 per organism).

Preferred Specimen

10 mL body fluids, lower respiratory tract specimens or gastric lavage collected in a sterile, leak-proof container or
2 mL CSF collected in a sterile, leak-proof container or
2 g fresh (unfixed) tissue collected in a sterile, leak-proof container or
40 mL urine collected in a sterile, leak-proof container or
1 mL or 1 swab wound, exudates, aspirates, lesion material or ocular specimens collected in a sterile, leak-proof container

Minimum Volume

2 mL body fluids, lower respiratory tract specimens or gastric lavage • 1 mL CSF • 1 gram (unfixed) tissue • 20 mL urine • 1 mL or 1 swab wound, exudates, aspirates, lesion material or ocular specimens

Other Acceptable Specimens

Swabs in Amies or Stuarts liquid transport swab, Amies or Stuarts gel transport swab, Amies liquid elution swab (Eswab), or equivalent (only if biopsy or aspirate is not available), or
Samples in Anaerobic transport medium, ONLY if it is an irreplaceable sample type, or
Throat/oral/sputum swabs from cystic-fibrosis patients

Instructions

See the alphabetical listing in the Microbiology section of Specimen Collection and Handling for further instructions.

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated (cold packs)

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Not established
Refrigerated: 5 days
Frozen: Unacceptable

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

Specimen in formalin or alcohol • Leaked specimen • 24-hour sputum or urine • Urine in preservative

Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule

Set up: Daily; Report available: 42 days

Reference Range

No acid-fast bacilli isolated

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.