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Test Code LAB877 AFB CULTURE

Important Note

Please specify specimen and collection site with order.

Cultures with organisms growing are maintained in the laboratory for 90 days after finalization.

When organisms are detected on culture, a preliminary result is available via the computer and the clinician is called with a verbal report.

AFB Culture on urine is indicated for patients on BCG Therapy for bladder cancer.

Pathology approval is required for testing on CSF and Feces specimens.

Additional Codes

Orderable Codes:

Epic Code Atlas Code Mayo Access ID Order LOINC
LAB877 TC FAH5915 in process

Result Component(s): 

Reporting Name Epic Code Atlas Code Mayo Access ID Result LOINC
AFB Culture 1230100018 CULT FAH4896 41852-5

 

Specimen Information

Container Specimen Temperature Collect Vol Submit Vol Min Vol
Sterile Container Fluid Refrigerate 15 mL 15 mL 2 mL
Sterile Container *CSF Refrigerate 10 mL 10 mL 2 mL
Sterile Container **Respiratory Fluids Refrigerate 5 mL 5 mL 3 mL
Sterile Container Aspirated Pus Refrigerate 2-3 mL 2-3 mL 1 mL
Sterile Container Tissue Refrigerate 2 mm 2 mm N/A
Sterile Container ***Sputum Refrigerate 5 mL 5 mL 3 mL
Sterile Container Respiratory Biopsy Refrigerate 2 mm 2 mm N/A
Sterile Container Lung Tissue Refrigerate 2 mm 2 mm 1 mm
Sterile Container ****Urine Refrigerate 40 mL 40 mL 10 mL
Sterile Container *****Gastric washings Ambient 15 mL 15 mL 10 mL
Sterile Container *Feces Refrigerate 1 gram 1 gram 1 gram

Specimens must be received within 48 hours of collection and must be sealed in a leak proof container. 

*Pathology Approval is required for CSF and Feces specimens.  10 mL of CSF is recommended if Mycobacteria is strongly suspected.

**Respiratory fluids: BAL, Bronch wash

***Sputum (3 first morning specimens on different days is recommended, however 3 specimens collected 8 hours apart is acceptable as long as one specimen was collected as a first morning specimen.)

****AFB Culture on urine is indicated for patients on BCG Therapy for bladder cancer.  First morning specimen preferred. 24 hour collection not accepted.
AFB smear is recommended with culture.

*****Gastric washings AFB Cultures: the lab must be notified prior to specimen collection and the sample must be delivered to the lab within 1 hour of collection.

 

Test Schedule / Analytical Time / Test Priority

Monday – Friday / Reported when positive. Negative final at 56 days / AFB Smear NOT available STAT

Method

Culture

CPT(s)

Description CPT Code
AFB Culture 87116
Concentration for Infectious Agents 87015

Testing includes culture, identification, (additional charges/CPT codes may apply) and if culture results warrant, susceptibility testing (at an additional charge) of all indicated organisms.

Instrumentation

Biomerieux Bact/Alert

Reference Range

Negative: No acid-fast bacilli isolated, final at 8 weeks

Section

Microbiology-2

Performing Location

University of Vermont Medical Center

Is the UVMMC lab NY State Certified to perform this testing?  Yes/No

Yes