(AFB)
| Name
| Method
| Reference Range
| Units
|
| Specimen Source |
|
|
|
| Acid-fast Bacilli Stain |
STAIN |
No AFB Seen |
|
| No
| Type
| Volume
| Temperature
| Container Type
| Instructions
|
| 1 |
Sterile Container/Tube |
2 (1) mL |
Ambient - 24 Hour(s)/Refrigerated - 7 Day(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 2 |
Gastric Aspirate |
|
Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 3 |
Fluid |
10 (5) mL |
Frozen - 2 Month(s)/Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 4 |
Culturette/Swab |
1 (1) mL |
Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Culturette |
|
| 5 |
CSF |
3 (1.5) mL |
Frozen - 2 Month(s)/Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 6 |
Whole Blood Isolator Tube |
10 (5) mL |
Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Black/Yell |
|
| 7 |
Nasopharyngeal Swab |
1 (1) mL |
Ambient - 24 Hour(s)/Refrigerated - 7 Day(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 8 |
Urine |
10 (5) mL |
Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s)/Frozen - 2 Month(s) |
Sterile |
|
| 9 |
Tissue |
1 (0.5) g |
Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 72 Hour(s) |
Sterile |
Place tissue & needle biopsies in Middlebrook broth./// |
| 10 |
Stool |
2 (1) g |
Refrigerated - 7 Day(s)/Ambient - 24 Hour(s) |
Stool |
|
| Setup Schedule |
Sunday-Saturday |
| Reported |
2 days |
| CPT Code
|
87206 |
| Notes |
1. AFB smear result shall be used as an adjunct in evaluating patient's mycobacterial disease (e.g. tuberculosis); AFB culture is highly recommended for laboratory diagnosis. 2. Source of specimen is required, please include on requisition. 3. AFB stain will be performed on whole blood; however, mycobacteria are often present in either very low concentrations or intermittently in peripheral blood. AFB blood stains may therefore yield false negative results. Interpret these results with caution. 4. The Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Direct (MTD), a target-amplified nucleic acid probe is available for respiratory specimens. Call technical services for details. Prices might not include a handling fee. |
| Clinical
Utilities |
Aid in the early diagnosis of mycobacterial infections. A negative smear does not rule out mycobacterial infection.
|
1. Collect specimen in a sterile, leakproof container.
2. For respiratory specimens, collect three sputum samples from
deep productive coughs in consecutive 8 to 24 hour intervals per CDC
guidelines (at least one should be an early morning specimen).
3. Place tissue and needle biopsies in Middlebrook broth (available
from Specialty) or in sterile saline.
4. Culturette and nasopharyngeal swab collections may result in a
potential decline in sensitivity of Mycobacterium isolation in
culture. The yield of material is limited and, due to the
hydrophobicity of Mycobacteria, the organisms may be entrapped
within the fiber matrix and not readily transition into solution or
onto media. False negative cultures are possible, especially if few
pathogens are present.
5. If gastric aspirate cannot be shipped immediately, add 100mg of
sodium bicarbonate as a buffer to neutralize any acid detrimental to
Mycobacteria.
6. Refrigerate all samples within 1 hour of collection time except for
whole blood samples.
7. Ship specimens on cold pack within 24 hours of collection. Whole
blood is shipped at ambient temperature.
Smear preparation:
1. Place at least 2 drops of specimen onto a prelabeled clean
microscopic slide. Use decontaminated specimens if the source is
obtained from non-sterile body sites.
2. Air-dry. Gently heat-fix smears. Specimen should be visible after
drying.
3. Ship to Specialty in slide holder at ambient temperature.
|
