Additional Testing Requirements

Mycobacterial culture is required for epidemiological strain typing and growth-based phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, including definitive rifampin results as well as results for other antimicrobials. If your facility is unable to perform a mycobacterial culture, order CTB / Mycobacteria and Nocardia Culture, Varies concurrently with this test.

Shipping Instructions

Specimen must arrive within 7 days of collection; if received greater than 7 days from collection, the specimen will be rejected.

Necessary Information

Specimen source is required.

Specimen Required

The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA is unlikely.

Specimen Type: Sputum (undigested)

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days/Ambient 72 hours

Additional Information:

1. If a single specimen is being shared between mycobacterial culture, acid-fast smear, and/or M tuberculosis PCR, a minimum volume of 3 mL for the respiratory specimen is required. Specimen volumes less than indicated may decrease sensitivity of testing.

2. If insufficient volume is submitted, testing will be canceled.

Specimen Type: N-acetyl-L-cysteine/sodium hydroxide (NALC/NaOH)-digested sputum

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 3 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Submit digested specimen treated with NALC/NaOH.

2. Clearly indicate on container and order form that specimen is a digested specimen.

Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated 7 days

Additional Information:

1. If a single specimen is being shared between mycobacterial culture, acid-fast smear, and/or M tuberculosis PCR, a minimum volume of 3 mL for the respiratory specimen is required. Specimen volumes less than indicated may decrease sensitivity of testing.

2. If insufficient volume is submitted, testing will be canceled.