Sign in →

Test Code AFBB Culture-Blood TB (AFB)

Important Note

Call Specimen Processing at ext. 81702 for SPS tube.

Clinical Indications

Test Method: Blood is inoculated into Isolator (Wample) tubes, lysed to release intracellular organisms, and centrifuged.

Mycobacterial blood infections often occur in immuno-compromised hosts. Mycobacterial blood cultures may be indicated in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis, especially in fevers of unknown origin.

Additional Test Codes

Epic Order Code: Culture-Blood TB (AFB)
Sunquest Order Code: AFBB
Px Order Code: LAB4011

Specimen Collection Type

Blood in SPS tube (yellow top)

Bone Marrow in heparinized syringe

Minimum Collection Volume

Adults: 5 mL minimum, 10 mL optimal

Pediatric: 1.5 mL minimum

Bone Marrow: 0.5 mL minimum, 2 mL optimal

Reference Range

No growth

Critical Value

Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Interpretation

Positive cultures are reported with organism identification.

Negative cultures are incubated for 6 weeks before a final negative report.

Rejection Criteria

Anticoagulants other than SPS

Refrigerated specimen

Specimen Availability for Add-on Testing

N/A

Specimen Stability

3 days at room temperature

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Performing Lab- Department

TUKHS-BH-Microbiology

CPT Code

87116

LOINC Code

533-0

Test Alias

N/A

Additional Information / Notes

N/A