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Specimen Receiving
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Mycobacterial, culture, isolation

Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) Culture

Laboratory Fee Schedule

Procedure: MZZ0062A

CPT: 87116

Synonym(s):	Mycobacterial culture, isolation
Requisition Form	G-MYCO
Test Description	Isolation of mycobacteria from culture.
Pre-Approval Needed	N/A
Supplemental Information Required	N/A
Supplemental Form(s)	N/A
Performed on Specimens from (sources)	Sputum Tissue Exudate Stool Body Fluids
Sample/Specimen Type for Testing	Clinical specimen from human.
Minimum Volume/Size Required	3 mL to 15 mL.
Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping	Transport specimen as soon as possible on cold packs. 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	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. Please ship specimens overnight and preferably on cold pack.
Method	Culture is performed on solid Middlebrook medium and in the liquid BACTEC MGIT culture medium.
Turn-around Time	All cultures are monitored for 42 days, or until positive.
Interferences/Limitations	Delay in transport of specimen could compromise isolation of mycobacteria.
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	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.