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Acid-Fast Smear
Test CodeAFSM
CPT Codes
87206
Preferred Specimen
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Body Fluid
1. 1 mL of body fluid in a sterile tube.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Feces
1. 5 to 10 g of stool in a container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Spinal Fluid
1. 1 mL of spinal fluid in a sterile tube.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Sputum
1. Early-morning sputum specimens are
recommended as follows:
A. Collect specimen in a sterile container.
B. Specimen should be a single, first-morning,
"deep cough" sputum specimen, and patient should
not have eaten prior to collection.
C. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth
well with water.
D. Have patient remove dentures.
E. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it
momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into container.
Close lid securely.
F. At least 5 to 10 mL of sputum is needed for
concentration.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Tissue
1. Place tissue specimen in a sterile container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Urine
1. 35 to 50 mL of urine from a first-morning,
random collection in a sterile container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Bronchial washing/lavage
1. 3 - 5 ml of specimen
2. Label specimen appropriately
Note: Specimen source is required.
Body Fluid
1. 1 mL of body fluid in a sterile tube.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Feces
1. 5 to 10 g of stool in a container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Spinal Fluid
1. 1 mL of spinal fluid in a sterile tube.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Sputum
1. Early-morning sputum specimens are
recommended as follows:
A. Collect specimen in a sterile container.
B. Specimen should be a single, first-morning,
"deep cough" sputum specimen, and patient should
not have eaten prior to collection.
C. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth
well with water.
D. Have patient remove dentures.
E. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it
momentarily, and cough deeply and vigorously into container.
Close lid securely.
F. At least 5 to 10 mL of sputum is needed for
concentration.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Tissue
1. Place tissue specimen in a sterile container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Urine
1. 35 to 50 mL of urine from a first-morning,
random collection in a sterile container.
2. Label specimen appropriately.
Note: Specimen source is required.
Bronchial washing/lavage
1. 3 - 5 ml of specimen
2. Label specimen appropriately
Note: Specimen source is required.
Transport Temperature
Ambient-Body Fluid, Spinal Fluid, Sputum, Tissue, Urine
Refrigerate-Feces
Refrigerate-Feces
Methodology
Fluorescent Stain
Setup Schedule
Monday through Sunday
Reference Range
Normal
No acid-fast bacilli seen
Critical value: smear positive for acid-fast bacilli
Performed By
North Mississippi Medical Center Pathology Department
Performing Laboratory
NMMC Pathology Department
