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AFB Culture and Smear
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AFB Culture and Smear
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Lonic Code
Test Name
AFB Culture and Smear
Synonyms
Mycobacteria Concentrated Culture
AFB Smear
Test Consists
Mycobacterial [AFB] culture; AFB smear reported.
Specimen Requirements
Sputum early morning deep cough to produce lower respiratory specimen; bronchioalveolar lavage; stool, urine, CSF, tissues, body fluids, gastric aspirates
For blood, see AFB blood cultures.
Volume and Container
Sterile sealed leak proof container
Storage and Transport
Transport at ambient temperature to Microbiology Laboratory within one hour.
Critical Values
Phone report of isolation of acid fast organisms.
Causes for Rejection
Use of non sterile container; delay in transport; improper labeling; leaking container; swab specimen; insufficient quantity
Turn Around Time
Preliminary negative reports at end of weeks 2 and 4. Final negative report at 6 weeks. Positive reports with isolation and with identification.
Availability
CPT / HCPCS Code
AFB culture 87116; AFB smear 87206
Medicare Fee
Comments
Specimens are currently sent to reference laboratory for concentration, smear (non-STAT) and culture. AFB isolates are identified at reference laboratory.
Row Stamp
38,150,138
Last Updated
Volume
> 1 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Indications
Suspected mycobacterial infection.
Professional Fee
Tech Charge
Total Fee
Special Instructions
GASTRIC ASPIRATES (Pediatric patients only) must arrive in the lab within one hour of collection to allow for appropriate neutralization. Specimens received greater than one hour will be rejected.
Lab
Microbiology BA-1672, 706-721-2807
Schedule
Specimens received at all times to be sent to reference lab.
Request Form
Online ordering
Methodology
Patient Prep
Post Processing
Observe for complications of collection procedure.
Collection Guidelines
SPUTUM [EXPECTORATE] See Collection Guidelines for Common Specimens. SPUTUM [INDUCED] The patient should rinse their mouth with water after brushing gums and tongue. With the aid of a nebulizer, have the patient inhale about 25 mL of 3 10% sterile saline. This should produce a deep coughing. Collect the specimen into a sterile container. PEDIATRIC patients may require collection by suction; contact Respiratory Care. TRACHEAL ASPIRATES Collected through a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube. Pass a catheter through the site and into the trachea. Aspirate material from the trachea using a syringe or suction device. Remove the catheter and disengage the syringe or suction device. Place the specimen in a sterile container. STOOL Pass directly into clean dry container. Do not contaminate with urine. Select portions containing pus, blood, or mucus. Submit a second specimen on a separate day to increase probability of isolation of pathogen. CLEAN CATCH URINE See Collection Guidelines.
Reference Range
No acid fast bacilli isolated
Limitations and Contraindications
Not all mycobacteria will grow on routine media. Notify laboratory if M. bovis or BCG, M. haemophilum or M. leprae is suspected, as these may require extended incubation and/or special media. Certain microorganisms may overgrow the media, preventing successful culture.
Interpretation
Additional Information
Reference laboratory performs susceptibility test of initial M. tuberculosis isolates automatically. For other mycobacterial susceptibility tests, contact the Microbiology Laboratory. Three first morning sputums are recommended to adequately exclude pulmonary tuberculosis.
CPOE Test Name
AFB Culture NonBlood Sendout
Status
1
AUDIT_DEL
Attachments
Created at 9/8/2014 5:56 PM by Bradshaw, Keir
Last modified at 11/11/2016 3:29 PM by McMullen, Allison R.
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