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HelpTest Code LAB877 AFB CULTURE
Performing Laboratory
Suny Upstate Medical University
Specimen Collection and Handling
Routine TAT: 56 Days
| Fluids/aspirates: as much as possible, minimum 3-5 mL in Sterile container; Transfer synovial fluid to heparin (green top) tube Bone marrow: SPS vacuum tube Respiratory: 3-5 mL in Sterile container For sputum, a deeply expectorated, early morning specimen is best Urine: 10 mL in Sterile container; first morning, mid-stream specimen is best (Sent to Reference Laboratory) Swabs are suboptimal specimens | |
|---|---|
| Minimum Volume: | See Specimen |
| Collection: | Collect using standard procedures. |
| Transport: | Room Temperature or Refrigerated |
| Stability: | Blood/Bone Marrow: Room Temperature: ≤24 hours All Others: Room Temperature: ≤2 hours Refrigerated: (4°C) ≤ 7 days |
| Container: | Sterile container, ESwab, or Gel swab |
| Rejection Causes: | Although they will not be rejected, swabs are suboptimal specimens. |
| Notes: | Patients on TB therapy may have positive direct PCR results and negative cultures |