Acid Fast Culture

Any source except blood, CSF or bone marrow (see TBO procedure)

Collect specimens in sterile collection container. Collect sputum specimens first morning expectorant. Volumes below minimum greatly increase false negative results. Only 1 specimen per day of collection will be accepted. Have patient rinse mouth and gargle with sterile water or saline prior to sputum collection. Collect specimen resulting from deep cough in a sterile container. If Legionella testing will be included in the tests requested do not use saline as it is inhibitory to Legionella organisms.

Sterile Container

Isolation and identification of Mycobacteria is important for the management and treatment of tuberculosis and other Mycobacterial infections. There are more than 70 species of Mycobacteria of which the primary pathogen is M. tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a chronic, granulomatous disease caused by M. tuberclosis. Identification and antibiotic sensitivity is required to initiate necessary therapy.