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Test Code C Acid Fast Bacilli with Stain Acid Fast Bacilli Culture with Stain

AKA (Description)

Culture Acid Fast Bacilli with Stain

AFB

Specimen Requirement

Sputum: Use Sputum Collection System. Specimen should be refrigerated within one hour of collection.

Pleural, spinal, joint, other fluids, exudates, tissues: Use sterile container adequate for specimen. Use sterile swabs and sterile saline for scant specimens. Use citrate or heparin if the specimen is prone to clotting. Refrigerate upon arrival to lab.

Gastric Aspirate: Use sterile container. Do not refrigerate until pH has been adjusted.

Min. Volume

Sputum: 5 mL

Bronch Wash: 5 mL

Body fluids: 10 – 15 mL

CSF: ? 2 mL, use maximum volume attainable

Special Instructions

Sputum: First morning specimen is best because it takes advantage of secretions pooled overnight. However, an acceptable specimen may be obtained any time the patient has a productive cough. Refrigerate within one hour of collection.

Pleural, spinal, joint, other fluids, exudates, tissues: prevent specimen from drying. Only use sterile saline, NOT thio or TSB.

Gastric Aspirate: Bring the specimen to a neutral pH AFTER preparing direct smears.

Test Included

Acid Fast Stain: performed at FMH and at State.

Culture: performed at State.

MTB-Complex NAAT: performed at State. It is NOT automatically included with C AFB order. Physican must contact State to request it.

TAT

AFB Stain at FMH: 24 hours

AFB Stain at State: 24 hours upon receipt in Anchorage

AFB Culture: 6 weeks for final