Acid-Fast Bacilli Blood Culture with AFB Sensitivity

Test Code
8518

CPT Codes
87116

Includes
For each organism, identification will be performed at an additional charge: M. tuberculosis Complex Probe (CPT code: 87149), M. avium Complex Probe (CPT code: 87149), M. kansasii Probe (CPT code: 87149) or M. gordonae Probe (CPT code: 87149).

If the organism cannot be identified by the original method, then AFB Sequencing (1, 2 & 3) will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code: 87153).

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

If MAI is isolated, susceptibilities will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code: 87186).

If M. chelonae-abscessus complex or M. fortuitum is isolated, susceptibilities will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code: 87186).

If M. kansasii, M. marinum or M. gordonae is isolated, susceptibilities will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code: 87186).

Preferred Specimen
5 mL whole blood collected in Myco F/Lytic blood bottle

Minimum Volume
1 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens
Bone marrow collected in a Bactec® Myco/F Lytic aerobic blood bottle

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 48 hours
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: Unacceptable

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Specimens in EDTA (lavender-top), heparin (green-top), citrate, ACD or SPS (yellow-top) tubes • Bactec® plus aerobic/f (silver label with gray-top) bottles • Bactec® lytic/10 anaerobic/f (purple label and cap) bottles • Bactec® peds bottle

Methodology
Continuous Monitoring Blood Culture System

Setup Schedule
Set up: Daily; Report available: 6-8 weeks

Reference Range
No acid-fast bacilli isolated

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
14225 Newbrook Drive
Chantilly, VA 20153

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.