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AFB CULTURE AND SMEAR(WH)
MessageSENDOUT/WEST HAVEN CT
Test Code
AFB PRIM
Alias/See Also
ACID FAST BACILLUS CULTURE AND SMEAR
Includes
AFB CULTURE AND SMEAR, PRIMARY ISOLATION, TB CULTURE AND SMEAR
Preferred Specimen
SPUTUM
Minimum Volume
3-5mLs
Other Acceptable Specimens
Aseptically collected fluids – these include spinal fluid, pleural, pericardial, synovial,
ascetic, pus, bone marrow collected aseptically in a sterile container using aspiration
technique or surgical procedure are acceptable. Fluids that contain blood or are blood
will require to be drawn into heparinized tubes as they will clot.
Aseptically collected tissues – these should be placed in a sterile container without
fixatives or preservatives. When sent by mail the specimen should be protected from
drying by adding sterile saline to the specimen and packing in dry ice or maintaining a
temperature of 4-15 degrees centigrade. Specimen needs to be brought to the laboratory
as soon as possible.
Specimens expected to be contaminated – The most commonly submitted extra
pulmonary specimen that requires processing before culture is Urine. Contamination can
be minimized by following proper procedures for washing the external genitalia before
the specimen is collected and the urine should be processed or refrigerated. Three early
morning voided midstream specimens should be collected.
ascetic, pus, bone marrow collected aseptically in a sterile container using aspiration
technique or surgical procedure are acceptable. Fluids that contain blood or are blood
will require to be drawn into heparinized tubes as they will clot.
Aseptically collected tissues – these should be placed in a sterile container without
fixatives or preservatives. When sent by mail the specimen should be protected from
drying by adding sterile saline to the specimen and packing in dry ice or maintaining a
temperature of 4-15 degrees centigrade. Specimen needs to be brought to the laboratory
as soon as possible.
Specimens expected to be contaminated – The most commonly submitted extra
pulmonary specimen that requires processing before culture is Urine. Contamination can
be minimized by following proper procedures for washing the external genitalia before
the specimen is collected and the urine should be processed or refrigerated. Three early
morning voided midstream specimens should be collected.
Instructions
COLLECT SPUTUM SAMPLE IN A STERILE CONTAINER PROVIDED BY PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE OR LAB. MAKE SURE SAMPLE IS SPUTUM AND NOT SPIT!!!
Transport Container
STERILE CONTAINER
Transport Temperature
REFRIGERATED
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
NOT SPUTUM
Setup Schedule
DAILY
Report Available
Smears are reported within 24 hours of receipt in the Laboratory. Cultures are not
finalized as “negative” until after 8 weeks.
finalized as “negative” until after 8 weeks.
Clinical Significance
Always use aseptic technique, sterile containers and transport to the laboratory
immediately or refrigerate immediately (exception is blood cultures for Mycobacteria as
these specimens should be drawn into a heparin tube and stored at room temperature).
The Microbiology Laboratory should be alerted when unusual Mycobacteria are
suspected. Optimal specimens in order of preference are: tissue, aspirate, swab.
Susceptibility results will be reported as S, I, R (Susceptible, Intermediate or Resistant
respectively). Culture results of clinically significant isolates will be semi-quantitated in
the reports
immediately or refrigerate immediately (exception is blood cultures for Mycobacteria as
these specimens should be drawn into a heparin tube and stored at room temperature).
The Microbiology Laboratory should be alerted when unusual Mycobacteria are
suspected. Optimal specimens in order of preference are: tissue, aspirate, swab.
Susceptibility results will be reported as S, I, R (Susceptible, Intermediate or Resistant
respectively). Culture results of clinically significant isolates will be semi-quantitated in
the reports
Performing Laboratory
WEST HAVEN CT VA MICROBIOLOGY PHONE #: 203-932-5711 EXT: 2376 FAX: 203-937-4748
