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Geisinger Medical Laboratories Test Catalog
CULTURE, AFB |
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ORDERING INFORMATION: |
Geisinger Epic Procedure Code: LAB2121 Geisinger Epic ID: 19404 | |
SPECIMEN COLLECTION |
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Specimen type: |
Respiratory secretions, body fluid, exudate, aspirate, tissue (except large pieces of bone) | |
Preferred collection container: |
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Specimen required: |
Listed collection devices at room temperature. Fluids: 5-10 mL; minimum 2 mL. Tissue: 0.5-1 cm diameter (pea size);minimum 0.2 cm diameter (rice grain). | |
Special notes: |
For sputum, three (3) specimens collected at a minimal interval of 8 to 24 hours, with one specimen being a first morning specimen, is recommended for adequate recovery. If blood is being cultured collect the specimen in a sodium heparin blood collection tube. Swabs (including the Eswab) are not optimal for recovery. Send small pices of tissue/bone most likely to be infected. Check expiration date on transport device before use. If blood is to be collected, refer to send-out test Mycobacateria Blood Culture (test code MYCOBC) for collection information. Includes AFB Smear. | |
Patient preparation: |
Patient instruction required. See Microbiology Collection Appendix . | |
| SPECIMEN PROCESSING |
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Transport temperature: |
Room temperature | |
Specimen stability: |
Sterile container, Sputum collector: Room temperature 7 days ESwab or other culture swab (specify type): Room temperature 72 hours SPS or sodium heparin (green-top) blood collection tube: Room temperature 4 hours |
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Rejection criteria: |
Specimen received in routine blood culture bottles. Improperly labeled/identified specimen. Insufficient volume of specimen. Expired collection/transport device. Delay in transport. | |
TEST DETAILS |
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Reference interval: |
No acid fast bacilli isolated. | |
Critical values/courtesy alerts: |
Acid fast bacilli present, any source. NOTE: All inpatient, positive AFB smears on respiratory specimens are automatically tested for M. tuberculosis by direct specimen polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR tesing is performed Mon.-Fri., 2nd shift and Sat.-Sun., 2nd shift staff permitting. | |
Additional information: |
AFB cultures are monitored for up to 8 weeks before a final report is issued. | |
CPT code(s): |
87116, 87206 | |
| Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding. Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed. The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. | ||
Test includes: |
Isolation and identification of Mycobacterium species performed as appropriate. Susceptibility testing available upon request. Additional charges may apply. Test includes AFB culture and smear. | |
Methodology: |
Culture |
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Synonyms: |
AFB, AFB CULTURE, AFB SMEAR, AFBC TB MYCOBACTERIA ATYPICAL MAI ACID-FAST BACILLI CULTURE MAC, ACID FAST, ACID FAST BACILLI
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Clinical significance: |
There are over 100 species of mycobateria, including M. tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis. The significance of a positive culture is related to the mycobacterial species detected and the clinical disease/syndrome. | |
Doctoral Director(s:) |
Donna Wolk PhD, D(ABMM), Raquel Martinez, PhD, D(ABMM) | |
| Review Date: | 12/31/2022 | |