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HelpTest Code LAB12023 Acid Fast (AFB) Culture with Stain
Department
MICROBIOLOGY
Collection Requirements
Fresh early morning sputum specimens collected on successive days are preferred. Not to exceed 10 mL. Important that sputum expectoration be "from deep down in the lungs" as opposed to the expectoration of saliva or nasalpharyngeal secretions.Other types of specimens that may be submitted for mycobacteria isolation are: Tissue, body fluids, urine, gastric, and stool.
Must indicate source.
Primary Collection Container
Sterile Container
Transport
Must be received within 24 hours
Preferred Transport Temperature
Ambient if transported within 1 hour of collection; refrigerated if transport time will exceed 1 hour from collection.
Processing
If a respiratory culture is ordered on the same specimen, transport at ambient temperature within 1 hour of collection. The respiratory culture will be set up immediately upon receipt, then refrigerate specimen for acid fast set up on first shift.
Stability
Ambient: 1 hour
Refrigerated: 24 hours
Minimum Testing Volume
2.0 mL
Reference Range
No Acid-Fast Bacilli Isolated.
Methodology
Culture
Performed
Monday – Friday
6:00 am – 3:00 pm
Reported
6-7 weeks
CPT Codes
87116; 87206; 87015 if concentracted
Unacceptable Conditions
Specimens appearing to be expectorated as saliva.
Specimens with inadequate volume.
Specimens >24 hours from collection.