CULTURE, BACTERIAL, MYCOBACTERIA with AFB SMEAR
| Synonyms: | Mycobacteria Culture; Acid Fast Culture; AFB Culture |
| Computer Code: | AFBCS |
| Specimen Collection: | Place specimen (other than blood) in sterile screw capped tube or collection cup. For urine, use void sample (provide about 10 ml). Blood/bone marrow inoculate sample into Isolator tube (10 mL for blood, 1.5 mL for bone marrow). Alert lab (prior to collection) if gastric wash is to be submitted. Swab specimens are discouraged. |
| Minimum Volume: | 3-5 mL |
| Handling Instructions for Offsite Areas: | Refrigerate. |
| Reference Values: | Negative smear and culture. Smears for acid fast bacilli are routinely performed on all specimens except urine, blood, bone marrow and bone. For M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus, susceptibility testing is referred to NYSDOH. All other susceptibility testing is referred to a commercial reference laboratory. |
| Lab Code: | Microbiology |
| Requisition: | MICRO |
| Test Frequency: | Smears performed daily. Specimen processing Mon-Fri |
| Routine TAT: | Neg: 6 weeks Pos: 3-6 weeks |
| Stat TAT: | N/A |
| CPT Code(s): | 87116, 87206, 87015 Additional testing is performed if culture is positive |
| LCD or NCD: | |
| Methodology Used: |
See Addendum XVII |