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Catalog ID Cul AFB ARUP Acid-Fast Bacillus (AFB) Culture and AFB Stain

Important Note

For Mycobacterial/AFB Culture on Blood, see "Mycobacterial Culture, Blood"

CPOE Test Name

CPOE: Ref Culture, Acid Fast Bacilli and AFB Stain

DOE: Ref Cul AFB ARUP

Synonyms

Mycobacteria Concentrated Culture, AFB Culture

Specimen Type

Sputum; bronchioalveolar lavage; stool; urine; CSF; tissues; body fluids; gastric aspirates

AFB smears will not be performed on stool, bone marrow, and grossly bloody specimens.

Specimen Requirements

Recommended colllection: Three sputum specimens at 8-24 hour intervals (24 hours when possible) and at least one first- morning specimen. An individual order must be submitted with each specimen.

Collect all specimens in a sterile container without preservatives. Gastric aspirates must be neutralized to pH of 7 with sodium carbonate.

Respiratory specimens and CSF under 5mL volume will receive a suboptimal disclaimer. 

Storage and Transport

Transport at ambient temperature to Microbiology Laboratory within one hour

Causes for Rejection

Use of non sterile container; delay in transport; improper labeling; leaking container; swab specimen; insufficient quantity; specimen in preservatives

Reference Range

No acid fast bacilli isolated

Critical Values

Isolation of acid fast organisms

Test Consists

Mycobacterial [AFB] culture; no AFB smear reported

Turn Around Time

Stain reported within 24 hours. Negative cultures reported at 8 weeks.  Positive cultures are reported as soon as detected

Positive reports are issued as soon as AFB/growth are detected. Will be updated with identification once obtained.

Susceptibility performed on all initial isolates of M. tuberculosis complex.
Susceptibility performed on significant isolates of Mycobacterium other than M. tuberculosis complex isolates.

Performing Lab

ARUP Laboratories

CPT / HCPCS Code

AFB culture 87116; AFB smear 87206; additional codes may be added for identification and susceptibility based on organism growth.

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.