| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Culture, Acid-Fast Mycobacterium with Smear
Test CodeC AFB - MM MMC
CPT Codes
87116, 87206, 87015 (if appropriate)
Includes
AFB culture and smear.
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Source is required.
For multiple specimens, place separate orders for each specimen.
For multiple specimens, place separate orders for each specimen.
- Aspirate, Body fluid, Bone, Bone Marrow, CSF, Lymph node, Sinus, Skin, Tissue, Wound
- Blood Culture - send out see QNI test 10526 - Mycobacteria, Culture, Blood
- Sputum- 5-10 mL - send a first-morning deep cough collection - Three consecutive morning specimen are optimal for AFB recovery. Bronch Brush, Bronch washes, Bronch lavages and tracheal aspirates are also acceptable.
- Stool - 1 mL
- Urine - send entire first-morning collection. Samples should be collected on 3 successive days and submitted to lab immediately. (24 hour urine is not acceptable).
Instructions
- Send entire specimens in screw-capped, sterile container (unless otherwise noted).
- Label each container (not the lid) with two patient identifiers (full name, DOB or MR), date and time of collection.
- Transport to lab in sealed leak proof container.
- Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Specimen Stability
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
| Sputum, bronch brush, bronch wash, bronch lavage, tracheal aspirate | Ambient | 1 hour |
| Refrigerated | 5 days | |
| Aspirate, Body fluid, Bone, Bone marrow, CSF, Lymph node, Sinus, Tissue, Wound | Ambient | Send to lab Immediatley |
| Stool | Ambient | 1 hour |
| Refrigerated | 5 days | |
| Urine | Ambient | Send to lab Immediatley |
Methodology
Specimen preparation may require specimen concentration.
AFB Stain: Auramine O Stain, ZN Stain.
- A positive AFB smear result on Respiratory Specimens will be forwarded to Mayo Medical Laboratory for MTBRP - Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, Molecular Detection, PCR testing at an additional charge. If MTBRP is positive CTB - Mycobacteria and Nocardia Culture will be added at an additional charge.
- A positive AFB smear result on Non-Respiratory Specimens will be forwarded to QNI for 14685 - Mycobacteria PCR, Culture and Smear, Non-Respiratory testing at an additional charge.
- Any positive culture will be forwarded to QNI for 92186 - Mycobacterial Identification and Susceptibility testing at an additional charge.
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Report Available
8 - 42 days
Reference Range
AFB stain report: No acid-fast bacilli observed on smear.
AFB culture preliminary report: No AFB isolated to date (any positive findings will be immediately called; final report will be issued at the end of the incubation period):
AFB culture final report: No mycobacterium isolated 42 days
Critical values (automatic call-back): all positive AFB smears and cultures identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
AFB culture preliminary report: No AFB isolated to date (any positive findings will be immediately called; final report will be issued at the end of the incubation period):
AFB culture final report: No mycobacterium isolated 42 days
Critical values (automatic call-back): all positive AFB smears and cultures identified as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Performing Laboratory
McKee Medical Center - Microbiology/Molecular Laboratory
