Culture, Mycobacterium

Message

For Specimen Integrity during Extreme Weather see the “Lockbox Usage in Extreme Weather” document at the top of this page.

Use test code CUAFBL for Blood collection.

Test Code

CULAFB

Alias/See Also

4554;
Mycobacterium Culture;
AFB Culture (comment: Source other than blood)

CPT Codes
87206;87116***When a culture is positive there will be a reflex for each identification and susceptibility

Preferred Specimen

Sputum, Urine, and other Specimens in tightly sealed screw capped containers

Instructions

Sputum: First morning deep cough specimen. Submit on 3 consecutive days (not pooled).
Urine: First morning voided specimen. Do not use preservative-containing transport system. Submit specimens on 3 consecutive days (not pooled).
Other specimens: submit in tightly sealed screw-capped containers. Specify source.

Transport Container

Sterile Container - Swabs provide inadequate specimen for testing

Transport Temperature

Room Temperature

Specimen Stability

Room Temperature = 5 days
Refrigerated = 5 days
Frozen = unacceptable

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

Rejected for 24 hour urine. Frozen specimen.

Methodology
Culture

Setup Schedule

Sunday - Saturday
MYC

Report Available

8 weeks

Clinical Significance

Positive smears indicate the presence of acid-fast organisms and communicability. 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. tuberculosis. Identification and if appropriate, antibiotic sensitivity is required to initiate necessary therapy.

Performing Laboratory
Compunet Clinical Laboratories, LLC
2308 Sandridge Drive
Moraine, OH 45439

Last Updated: December 7, 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.