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Specimen Receiving
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Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) Specimen Concentration

Laboratory Fee Schedule

Procedure: MAG0066A

CPT: 87015

Synonym(s):	Mycobacteria specimen concentration, specimen decontamination, specimen digestion
Requisition Form	G-MYCO
Test Description	Processing of non-sterile specimens for the growth and detection of mycobacteria
Pre-Approval Needed	N/A
Supplemental Information Required	N/A
Supplemental Form(s)	N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)	Sputum Exudate Stool Badly contaminated tissues/body fluids
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing	Clinical specimen
Minimum Volume/Size Required	3 mL to 15 mL
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping	Transport specimen as soon as possible on cold pack. If transport is delayed over one hour, refrigerate specimen.
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.
Specimen Labeling	At least two patient identifiers are 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.
Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements	Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49. Category B Biological Substance, UN3373 shipping requirements apply. Handle as infectious agent using universal precautions. Triple-contain in accordance with federal shipping regulations. Submitters are responsible for packaging and shipping specimens according to regulatory requirements. Ship on frozen cold packs if at all possible!
Method	N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC)- sodium hydroxide (NaOH) digestion-decontamination
Turn-around Time	N/A
Interferences/Limitations	Delay in transport of specimen could compromise isolation of organism.
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.
Additional Information	Mycobacteria are recovered optimally from clinical specimens when methods both to release them from body fluids and cells (digestion) and remove/reduce competing organisms (decontamination) are used.