| Synonym(s): | Mycobacterial culture, isolation |
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| Requisition Form | G-MYCO |
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| Test Description | Isolation of mycobacteria from culture. |
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| Pre-Approval Needed | N/A |
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| Supplemental Information Required | N/A |
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| Supplemental Form(s) | N/A |
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| Performed on Specimens from (sources) | - Sputum
- Tissue
- Exudate
- Stool
- Body Fluids
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| Sample/Specimen Type for Testing | Clinical specimen from human |
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| Minimum Volume/Size Required | 3 mL to 15 mL |
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| Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping | - Transport specimen as soon as possible on cold packs.
- If transport is delayed over one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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| Transport Medium | - Do not use transport medium.
- A sterile, leak-proof, 50 mL conical tube preferred for primary container.
- Add up to 10 mL sterile saline to tissue, if needed to maintain moisture during transport.
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| Specimen Labeling | - At least two patient identifiers required on specimen (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number).
- Three patient identifiers are preferred.
- Patient identifiers on specimen label must exactly match identifiers on submission form. (e.g., abbreviated name on label and full name on form is not acceptable.)
- Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines available online here.
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| Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements | - Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49
- Category B shipping applies
- Please ship specimens overnight and preferably on cold pack.
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| Method | Culturing is performed on solid Middlebrook medium and in the liquid BACTEC MGIT culture medium. |
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| Turn-around Time | All cultures are monitored for 42 days, or until positive. |
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| Interferences/Limitations | Delay in transport of specimen to Laboratory could compromise isolation of mycobacteria. |
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| Common Causes for Rejection | - Specimen leaked in transit.
- Missing identifier(s) on specimen container.
- No test requested on G-MYCO requisition form.
- Specimens received frozen, in formalin, or in culture medium will be rejected.
- Swabs are discouraged unless the only specimen available; submit swabs in 5 mL sterile saline.
- Gastric specimens must be neutralized prior to transport.
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| Additional Information | - Contaminated liquid BACTEC MGIT cultures may be reprocessed and re-incubated in new culture medium per product package insert. This may cause a delay of the final culture report.
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