| Test Includes: Microscopic Examination of Clinical Specimen for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) |
Reporting
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| Results Available: 1 day. Positive reports are telephoned to the submitter within two hours of availability. |
Contact #s: 512-458-7586 |
Reference
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| Method: Truant’s Acid Fast Stain |
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| Turnaround Time: 24 hours |
Reference Range: Negative |
| Limitations: A negative microscopic examination does not mean that the patient’s specimen cannot be culture positive for AFB. This test is less sensitive than culture. The stain utilizes a fluorescent dye that can be taken up by the mycobacterium to different degrees depending on the species or if the patient is on antibiotic treatment. The quality of the specimen has major impact on the results of the microscopic examination. |
Interpretation: The report states whether the test is Negative if No AFB are Seen or Positive if AFB are Seen on microscopic examination. If Positive, the report provides a quantitation to indicate how many AFB were seen in a high power field under the microscope. Occasionally, an examination will result in the observation of only one or two AFB in the entire test. This number of AFB (one or two) is reported but is not considered a positive result by CDC or the American Thoracic Society. |
Specimen Requirements
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| Specimen Collection: |
Sample Type: |
Volume/Amount Required: 3 mL to 15 mL
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Preferred Specimen: Sputum; Tissue; Exudate; Stool; Blood; Body Fluids; Urine |
| Collection/Preservation: No preservative |
Storage Instructions: Transport specimen as soon as possible. If transport is delayed over one hour, refrigerate specimen, unless blood. This is important if the specimen is also to be cultured. |
| Causes for Rejection: Specimens received frozen, in formalin, or in culture medium will be rejected. Swabs are discouraged unless the only specimen available; submit swabs in 5 mL sterile saline. If swabs are submitted in transport medium, the test cannot be performed. |
Sample Container: Triple contained. Sterile, leak-proof, 50 mL conical tube preferred for primary container. Add up to 10 mL of sterile saline to tissue if needed to maintain moisture during transport. If blood, must collect in Yellow-top vacutainer with SPS. |
| Sample Test Kit: |
Availability: Tested 5 days/week: Monday-Friday |
| Diagnostic Information: Primary diagnostic specimens and isolates go to TDSHS Lab in Austin. |
Specimen Submission
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| Required Request Form: G-2B |
Specimen Handling: |
| Transport Temperature: Ambient |
Shipping Requirements: Triple-contained and packaged to meet requirements of DOT, USPS, PHS, and IATA for shipping of clinical specimens. |
Billing
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| CPT Code: 87206 |
Fees: |