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Acid Fast Bacilli Biochemicals, Basic

Laboratory Fee Schedule

Procedure: MZZ0451A

CPT: 87118


Synonym(s):	Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) identification, phenotypic identification
Requisition Form	G-MYCO
Test Description	Identification of mycobacterial isolates referred to DSHS Laboratory by biochemical tests.
Pre-Approval Needed	N/A
Supplemental Information Required	N/A
Supplemental Form(s)	N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)	Pure isolate from human sources.
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing	Mycobacterium species pure isolate in liquid or on solid culture medium.
Minimum Volume/Size Required	Liquid culture - 2.0 mL Solid culture - Single mature colony
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping	Ambient
Transport Medium	N/A
Specimen Labeling	Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number) Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements	Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49 Category B shipping applies for unidentified isolates.
Method	Biochemical testing to detect the presence of absence of an enzyme. Physiological testing
Turn-around Time	14 days.
Interferences/Limitations	Identification by biochemical tests is performed in conjunction with the morphological characteristics of the isolate and the HPLC pattern derived from cell wall analysis. Biochemical testing can be affected by the age of the culture. Identification by biochemical testing is limited and may not differentiate species without testing such as sequencing or mass spectrometry.
Common Causes for Rejection	Cultures overgrown by mold. Cultures broken in transit.
Additional Information	Basic biochemical testing includes the most common biochemical panel used in the identification of Mycobacterium species.