Body Fluid Mycobacterial (AFB) Smear and Culture

Synonyms

• ACID FAST BACILLI
• ACID FAST BACILLUS
• ACID FAST BODY FLUID
• ACID-FAST
• AF BF
• AFB STAIN
• CX BODY FLUID AFB
• FLUOROCHROME
• KINYOUN
• LAB10261
• MTB
• MYCOBACTERIUM
• NTM
• TB
• TUBERCULOSIS

Cerner Name

Acid Fast Body Fluid

Clinical Info

Mycobacteria, particularly Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
pose a significant global public health challenge, with early diagnosis being
crucial for preventing transmission and initiating prompt treatment.
Additionally, approximately 200 known species of nontuberculous mycobacteria
(NTM), commonly found in the environment (soil and water), are emerging as
opportunistic human pathogens, with a rising prevalence of pulmonary NTM
infections. 

Specimen Sources

Abdomen/Peritoneum Abscess Adrenal, Left Adrenal, Right Amniotic Sac Ankle, Left Ankle, Right Anus Autopsy Autopsy Brain Only Autopsy Pediatric Axilla, Left Axilla, Right Bile Bile Duct Bone Breast, Left Breast, Right Bronchoalveolar, Left Bronchoalveolar, Right Colon Dialysate Duodenum Ear, Left Ear, Right Elbow, Left Elbow, Right Endometrium Eye, Left Eye, Right Fallopian Tube, Left Fallopian Tube, Right Finger, Left Finger, Right Foot, Left Foot, Right Frontal sinus Gallbladder Gastric Hand, Left Hand, Right Hip, Left Hip, Right Jaw, Left Jaw, Right Joint Kidney, Left Kidney, Right Knee, Left Knee, Right Misc Nasopharynx Nipple, Left Nipple, Right Nose Oropharynx/Throat Ovarian Cyst Ovary, Left Ovary, Right Pancreas Pancreatic Duct Pelvic Pelvis Penis Pericardium Peritoneal Placenta Pleura, Left Pleura, Right Procurement Procurement Prostate Retroperitoneum Salivary Gland, Left Salivary Gland, Right Shoulder, Left Shoulder, Right Sinus, Nasal Sinus, Nasal Soft Tissue Spleen Toe, Left Toe, Right Vertebra Vitreous Vulva Wrist, Left Wrist, Right Show more...

Specimen Types

Aspirate Body Fluid

Specimen Volume

1-10ml

Container

Sterile

Collection Instructions

1. Disinfect overlying skin with 70% alcohol. 2. Aspirate body fluid using a sterile needle and syringe or via surgery.
3. Place 10 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of body fluid in a 50ml conical tube (preferred) or screw-capped sterile container. If arriving in a syringe, needle must be removed prior to transportation.
4. Label container/syringe with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Note: Specimen source is required on request form for processing.
*Rejection Criteria: Quantity not sufficient, specimen leaking, unlabeled or mislabeled specimen, specimen without a minimum of 2 patient identifiers, specimen received after prolonged delay (more than 7 days), specimen in fixative.

Transport Instructions

Refrigerated (2°-8°C), transport to the laboratory as soon
as possible.

Specimen Stability

Up to 3 days at 2°-8°C (refrigerated)

Methodology

The specimen is processed and
an acid fast smear is performed to
detect acid-fast bacilli. . All specimens are cultured in broth and
solid media for up to 6 weeks for the detection and identification of M.
tuberculosis complex and nontuberculous mycobacteria.
M. tuberculosis complex  isolates are referred to the department of
health for further speciation and susceptibility testing. 

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories - Little Neck Parkway
If culture is positive, additional charge(s)/CPT code(s) may apply for identification
and/or antibiotic susceptibilities performed when appropriate.

CPT

87116 - culture
87206 - acid-fast stain

PDM

6201240

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms