A
5200 Harry Hines Blvd.
,
Dallas
,
TX
75235
Search Tests
Search by Dept.
General Information
Alias: Acid Fast Bacilli, Mycobacteria, TB
Performed: Daily
Turn Around Time: AFB Smear results in <24 hours. Preliminary reports weekly. Final report 6 weeks.
CPT Codes: 87206, 87116
Performed By: Microbiology Lab
Notes:
Cultures performed until 3 positive samples obtained. After 3 positive samples, testing is limited to AFB smear only. Call Microbiology at 469-419-4047 if an exception is requested.
For stool specimens: AFB culture is performed only on AFB smear-positive samples.
Clinical Utility: The overall sensitivity of a series of 3 AFB smears is 70% for detection of pulmonary tuberculosis. In HIV-positive persons, a series of 3 AFB smears has a sensitivity of 47%. (Parkland in-house data). Isolation precautions for a patient with negative AFB
Unacceptable Conditions: Gastric specimens are not acceptable.
Components
| Name |
Method |
Sex |
Age Range |
Ref. Range Low |
Ref. Range High |
Units |
| AFB smear |
|
|
|
No AFB seen |
|
|
| AFB culture |
|
|
|
No AFB isolated |
|
|
Specimen Requirements
| Type |
Container |
Volume |
Units |
Collection / Delivery |
Storage / Transport |
Off Campus |
| Tissue |
Sterile Cup |
0.5 |
cubic centimeter |
Whole tissue preferred to swab specimens. |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerate |
| CSF |
CSF Vial |
2 |
mL |
|
Prompt Delivery |
|
| Urine |
Sterile Cup |
>40 |
mL |
First morning specimen |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerate |
| Body Fluids and Exudates |
Sterile Cup |
1 |
mL |
Capped syringe is acceptable. |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerate |
| Stool |
Sterile Cup |
1 |
gram |
|
Room Temperature |
Refrigerate |
| Sputum and Bronchial Washing |
Sterile Cup |
5 |
mL |
Recommend 3 sputum samples collected at least 8 hours apart. One of the three samples should be collected in the early morning. |
Room Temperature |
Refrigerate |