CSF Mycobacterial (AFB) Smear and Culture

Synonyms

• ACID FAST CSF
• ACID-FAST
• AF CSF
• AFBCCSF
• CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
• CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
• CNS
• CX CSF AFB
• FLUOROCHROME
• KINYOUN
• LAB11737
• LP
• LUMBAR PUNCTURE
• MYCOBACTERIUM
• NTM
• SPINAL FLUID
• TUBERCULOSIS

Cerner Name

Acid Fast CSF

Clinical Info

Specimen Sources

Cerebrospinal Fluid Lumbar Puncture Shunt

Specimen Types

Body Fluid Cerebrospinal Fluid

Specimen Volume

Container

CSF Tube

Collection Instructions

1. Disinfect site with antiseptic.
2. Using a sterile needle with stylet, insert needle at L3, L4, L5, or L5-S1 interspace.
3. After reaching subarachnoid space, remove stylet, and collect 8 mL (minimum volume: 1 mL) of spinal fluid in a screw-capped, sterile vial.
4. Label vial with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
5. Send specimen refrigerated.
6. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note: 1. Smear will only be performed if >5 mL of spinal fluid is submitted.
2. 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

Specimen Stability

Up to 7 days at 2-8C (refrigerated)

Methodology

Microbiology Culture

Days Performed

Monday through Sunday

Performing Laboratories

Northwell Health Laboratories
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 - smear (if appropriate)

PDM

6201252

Results

Result Interpretation

Forms