Body fluid; Transfer fluid to a sterile container or submit capped syringe without needle
Lymph node; Leak-proof sterile container
CSF; CSF Tube
Tissue/Wound: Tissue specimen in a sterile container preferred; swabs are suboptimal specimen collection devices for AFB culture
Respiratory (BAL, Bronch Wash, Sputum); Leak-proof sterile container or Luken's trap
Stool; Leak-proof sterile container
Urine; Leak-proof sterile container
Blood; Myco/F Lytic
Bone Marrow; Sterile Heparinized (Green) Tube
Other; Leak-proof sterile container
Preferred Draw Volume
Tissue/Wound:
Tissue specimen: 0.5-1 cm3 (add a small amount of isotonic saline)
Aspirate: 2-5 mL
Respiratory (BAL, Bronch Wash, Sputum): 5-10 mL
Urine: 20-50 mL
Blood: 1-5 mL
Bone marrow: 3-5 mL
Body fluid: 5-10 mL
Collection Comments
Respiratory collections:
1. Collect 3 respiratory specimens for acid-fast smears and culture in patients with clinical and chest X-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis.
2. These 3 specimens should be collected at 8 to 24 hour intervals (24-hour is preferred) and should include at least 1 first-morning specimen.
Urine collections:
Urine specimens are sent to reference laboratory for further testing.
NOTE: Urine for AFB specimens are ONLY accepted Monday-Thursday.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Transport all at room temperature as soon as possible.
If >1 hour delay: Transport CSF & Bone marrow at room temperature within 24 hours.
Transport rest refrigerated at 2-8°C within 24 hours.
Special Handling
Use Myco/F Lytic bottle for Blood specimens.
Ordering Recommendations
An Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Culture + Stain is the gold standard for detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens and should be used to assist with the diagnosis of diseases caused by those microorganisms. This test comprises culture and microscopic analysis of an auramine-rhodamine stained preparation of clinical specimens to optimize detection of acid-fast bacilli.
Performed
Monday - Friday; Days Urine for AFB: Sent out to reference lab and ONLY accepted Monday - Thursday
No growth: No Acid Fast Organisms seen
Critical Value: Positive
CPT Codes
87116, 87206
LOINC Codes
NAME
LOINC
Order
Acid Fast Bacilli Culture + Stain
543-9
Test Code (Outreach Synonym)
3067
Catalog Code
692425
Collection
Collect
Body fluid; Transfer fluid to a sterile container or submit capped syringe without needle
Lymph node; Leak-proof sterile container
CSF; CSF Tube
Tissue/Wound: Tissue specimen in a sterile container preferred; swabs are suboptimal specimen collection devices for AFB culture
Respiratory (BAL, Bronch Wash, Sputum); Leak-proof sterile container or Luken's trap
Stool; Leak-proof sterile container
Urine; Leak-proof sterile container
Blood; Myco/F Lytic
Bone Marrow; Sterile Heparinized (Green) Tube
Other; Leak-proof sterile container
Preferred Draw Volume
Tissue/Wound:
Tissue specimen: 0.5-1 cm3 (add a small amount of isotonic saline)
Aspirate: 2-5 mL
Respiratory (BAL, Bronch Wash, Sputum): 5-10 mL
Urine: 20-50 mL
Blood: 1-5 mL
Bone marrow: 3-5 mL
Body fluid: 5-10 mL
Collection Comments
Respiratory collections:
1. Collect 3 respiratory specimens for acid-fast smears and culture in patients with clinical and chest X-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis.
2. These 3 specimens should be collected at 8 to 24 hour intervals (24-hour is preferred) and should include at least 1 first-morning specimen.
Urine collections:
Urine specimens are sent to reference laboratory for further testing.
NOTE: Urine for AFB specimens are ONLY accepted Monday-Thursday.
Storage/Transport Temperature
Transport all at room temperature as soon as possible.
If >1 hour delay: Transport CSF & Bone marrow at room temperature within 24 hours.
Transport rest refrigerated at 2-8°C within 24 hours.
Special Handling
Use Myco/F Lytic bottle for Blood specimens.
Ordering
Ordering Recommendations
An Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB) Culture + Stain is the gold standard for detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens and should be used to assist with the diagnosis of diseases caused by those microorganisms. This test comprises culture and microscopic analysis of an auramine-rhodamine stained preparation of clinical specimens to optimize detection of acid-fast bacilli.
Performed
Monday - Friday; Days Urine for AFB: Sent out to reference lab and ONLY accepted Monday - Thursday
