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Contact Info
Public Health Laboratory
651-201-5200
health.mdhlab@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Public Health Laboratory
651-201-5200
health.mdhlab@state.mn.us

Specimen Requirements for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB)

The Clinical Guide to Services is a comprehensive reference guide of testing services, shipping information, and submission requirements for Minnesota’s Infectious Disease Laboratory.

Even though there are ongoing efforts to keep information current, some information may not be up to date due to recent changes in testing procedures and/or regulation. Many of these tests are only available with prior approval from the Minnesota Department of Health.

If you cannot find what you are looking for in the guide, please Contact the Infectious Disease Laboratory.

Back to agent: Mycobacterium spp.

AFB Specimen Requirements Chart Printable Version: (PDF: 2 pages/ 156KB)

Specimen
Type
Collection
Transport/
Storage
Temperature
Rejection Criteria
Comments
Abscess – cellulitis, eye exudate, skin lesion Optimal volume = as much as possible.
Remove surface exudate by wiping with sterile saline or 70% alcohol.  Collect fluid abscess material with syringe. For open lesions/abscesses, aspirate material from under the margin of the lesion/abscess.
Refrigerate - Formalin or other preservatives
- Swab
 
Blood Optimal volume = 10 mL
Aseptically collect whole blood in sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS – yellow top), or heparin (green top) collector tube.
Room temperature Clotted blood
-EDTA (purple top)
-ACD (yellow top - acid citrate dextrose)
- < 5 mL adults
- < 1 mL child
 
Body Fluids (pleural, pericardial, peritoneal, paracentesis, thoracentesis, synovial, etc.) Optimal volume = 15 mL
Collect aseptically.
For extremely bloody specimens use an SPS (yellow top) or heparin (green top) blood collection tube.
Refrigerate - < 10 mL adult
- < 1 mL pediatric
-Swab
-Synovial fluid < 1ml
 
Bone Marrow Optimal volume = 10 mL
Aseptically collect bone marrow in sodium polyanethol sulfonate (SPS – yellow top) or heparin (green top). Mix contents after collection.
Room temperature -EDTA (purple top)
-ACD (yellow top - acid citrate dextrose)
- < 1 mL
 
Bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washings, brushings, endotracheal and  transtracheal aspirates Optimal volume = 5 mL or more
Place bronchial brushing in sterile container with up to 5 mL sterile saline.
Refrigerate - < 3 mL adult
- < 1 mL child
 
Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) Optimal volume = 10 mL Refrigerate - < 2 mL  
Gastric Aspirate/Lavage Fluid Optimal volume = < 15 mL in 100 mg sodium carbonate – adjust to neutral pH.
Collect in early morning before patient eats and while they are still in bed. Perform lavage with 25-50 mL of chilled, sterile, distilled water. 1 specimen/day on 3 consecutive days.
Room temperature -Specimen that has not been neutralized.
-Multiple specimens taken from same day
-Swab
 
Sputum Optimal volume = 5 - 10 mL
Early-morning specimen from deep, productive cough.
Expectorated sputum: instruct patient as to difference between saliva and sputum.  Have patient rinse mouth with water before collecting sputum to minimize contamination with food, mouthwash, oral drugs, etc.
Induced sputum: use sterile hypertonic saline.  Indicate on request if specimen is induced, as these watery specimens resemble saliva.
Refrigerate -24 hour pooled specimens
-Multiple specimens taken from same day that are < 8 hours apart
- < 3 mL
 
Stool Optimal volume = > 1 gram Refrigerate - <1 gram
- Swab
Stool cultures for mycobacteria are discouraged
Tissue biopsy -Lymph node Optimal volume = as much as possible
Collect aseptically during surgery or cutaneous biopsy procedure. Add 2-3 mL of sterile saline for transport
Refrigerate -Formalin or any other preservative
- Swab
 
Urine Optimal volume = 40 mL
First morning specimen is preferred.
Refrigerate -24-hour pooled
-Multiple specimens from one day
-Any preservative
- < 10 mL adult
- <5 mL child
 

Back to List of Tests

Specimen Requirements for Mycobacterium

Specimen Type
Specimen Requirements
Rejection Criteria
Agar slant (LJ, 7H11, or other), plate Pure culture, visible growth. Screw cap tubes are preferred, but properly transported plates will be accepted if tubes are not available. 1. Contaminated
2. Liquefied
3. Broken in transit
4. No visible growth
Roche Sepitcheck™ Vials, MGIT tubes, or other TB culture systems (AFB positive)   1. Broken in transit
Tags
  • infectious disease lab
Last Updated: 11/21/2022

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