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Tuberculosis (TB) smear — also known as acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear

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$11 | CPT Code: 87206 | Clinical microbiology lab

Methodology

Acid-fast stain, fluorescent methodology

Acceptable specimen(s)

Sputum

  • 5-10 mL collected in a sterile conical collection tube wrapped with parafilm
  • Samples under 3 mL will be rejected.
  • The patient should have had nothing by mouth (NPO) overnight or brush their teeth prior to sputum collection. 
  • Collect three (3) sputum samples early in the morning over the next three to five days. 

Specimen labeling

A minimum of two of the following are required on the specimen label:

  • Patient first and last name
  • Date of birth
  • Medical record number (MRN) or patient identification (ID)

The following information is optional, but highly preferred:

  • Collection date
  • The chain of custody number, if ordered through LabOnline

The lab will not process samples without appropriate identifiers on the label. Be sure the information on the label matches what is listed on the test order.

Specimen stability

TB samples must be received by the State Lab within 24 hours of collection. Transport at 2-8° C, so normal oral flora does not overgrow any suspected AFB.

Collect and ship samples Monday through Thursday. Do not collect or ship samples to the State Lab on Fridays. The lab is closed on the weekends.

Turnaround time

One (1) business day

Results will be available in LabOnline.

Rejection criteria

Incomplete or missing test order, incomplete specimen labeling, specimen collected in expired collection kits, use of improper media, quantity not sufficient for analysis, gross contamination, received out of hold time, received out of temperature

Ordering in LabOnline

  • Profile: Tuberculosis Testing, Microbiology
  • Testing type: Tuberculosis Smear
  • Matrix: Sputum
     

Contact information