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Test Code LAB246 AFB Culture, Blood

Important Note

NOTE: Blood should be collected in Bactec(R) Myco/F Lytic bottle. These bottles can be obtained from Microbiology (ext. 7-2585) prior to collecting sample.

Infectious

Clinical System Name

AFB Culture, Blood

Synonyms

AFB Blood Culture

Mycobacteria

Acid Fast Bacilli

Acid-Fast

LAB246

Description

Identify acid-fast bacteria in blood or bone marrow specimens.

Includes Blood Culture only. Direct Stain is not performed. 

Identification and susceptibility testing is performed on positive cultures at an additional charge. If PZA susceptibility testing is requested for M. tuberculosis complex isolates, contact your local public health laboratory or the CDC for pncA gene testing for PZA resistance mutations. ARUP performs testing for other first-line drugs: rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol.

Sample Requirements

Specimen: Blood, Bone Marrow.

Container: BD Bactec™ Myco/F Lytic bottle.

Whole Blood: 1-5 mL in Bactec™ Myco/F Lytic bottle

Bone Marrow: 1-5 mL (Min: 0.5 mL) in Bactec™ Myco/F Lytic bottle

Myco/F Lytic bottles can be obtained by calling the Microbiology Laboratory at ext. 7-2585.

  1. Aseptic collection required. Disinfect draw site and the top of the bottle. Allow disinfectant to dry completely. Do not touch the draw site or bottle top after this step.
  2. Collect blood or bone marrow directly into the Bactec™ Myco/F Lytic bottle. Bone marrow may also be collected in a syringe and transferred to the bottle using sterile technique.
  3. Do not overfill or underfill. Attempt to inoculate the requested maximum volume for optimal sensitivity of culture.
  4. Forward sample(s) to the laboratory.

NOTE: Two separate tubes (one for each test) must be collected if both AFB and Fungal cultures are ordered.  AFB and Fungal can no longer be performed from a single tube.

Processing Instructions

CPA: Store and transport samples at ambient temperature.

Expedite processing and transport to UW-MT Sendouts. Samples must arrive at ARUP Laboratories within 72 hours of collection.

Stability

Temp Time
Room temp (preferred) 72 hours
Refrigerated 72 hours
Frozen Unacceptable

 

Availability

Procedure Performed Turn Around Time (TAT)
AFB Blood Culture 24/7 43 days

 

Performing Laboratory

ARUP Laboratories, Inc.

800-522-2787

500 Chipeta Way

Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Department

Department: Microbiology

Phone Number: (206) 987-2585

CPT Codes

87015

87116

 

This test is not limited to the CPT codes listed.  Others may be added as more testing is necessary and depending on the pathogens isolated (example: MIC's and ID codes)

Notifiable Result

See Link below for Notifiable Conditions for WA state labs:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/PublicHealthandHealthcareProviders/NotifiableConditions.aspx

 

See Link below for PDF of phone numbers for Local Health jurisdictions (by County) in WA State:

http://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1200/phsd-LHJ.pdf

Reporting Information

Negative Final Report: 43 days

 

The report will be updated and the provider will be notified if growth is detected within the given incubation period. 

Send Out Instructions

Reference Test Name:

Blood Culture, Acid-Fast Bacillus (AFB)
Reference Test Number:

MC BAFB
Instructions: Clients should only submit orders through UW DLMP if the sample can be transported promptly. Samples must arrive at ARUP Laboratories within 72 hours of collection. Allow for one day of transport from UW-MT to ARUP. Samples are not sent out on Sundays.