TB Culture

Test Name	TB Culture
Alternate Name(s)	Mycobacterium culture, Tuberculosis culture
Laboratory Module	Microbiology
Ordering Mnemonic	TB
Specimen Type	Any specimen from the body, may be used. CSF Fluid Blood Tissue Bone Bone marrow Sputum Tracheal aspirate Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) Bronchial wash Urine
Collection Container	Green top tube for Blood, Bone marrow Sterile container for all specimens except Blood, Bone marrow
Container Information	Sterile container Green top tube
Collection Information	0.5 ml CSF required 5.0 ml Fluid or aspirate required 40 ml Urine required Multiple tissues from the same surgical site should be limited to 3 specimens. Tissue from the Lymph node - place a small amount of sterile saline in the specimen container. Collect 3 sputum specimens on the same day, a minimum of 1 hour apart or optimally from an early morning collection from deep productive cough on 3 consecutive days.
Test Schedule	Daily
Routine Turnaround Time	1 - 9 weeks
Critical Values	As TB is detected and identified the information is made available to the health care provider.
Lab Process Notes	Swabs are not recommended for the isolation of Mycobacteria since they provide limited material and the bacteria adsorb onto the swab material which may contain toxic substances. Negative result obtained from specimens submitted on swabs are not reliable. Any specimen received frozen, in formalin, dry swabs or swabs in anaerobic transport medium , and non sterile container will not be tested. Blood collected in EDTA , coagulated blood will not be tested.
Storage and Transport	Specimen should be transported ASAP to the laboratory after collection in biohazard bag. Blood and CSF specimens should be stored and transported at room temperature after receipt in the laboratory. Other specimens should be stored and transported at 2-8°C temperature after receipt in the laboratory.
Test Referred To	Offsite, Referral Laboratory

STAFF LAB TESTING INFO