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Test Code CAFB Culture, Acid-Fast and Smear

Important Note

Requests for PCR testing must be made by calling the laboratory to add to the cultures.  PCR test results will be part of the culture result.

PCR testing is automatically done with a  positive smear. 

Additional Codes

For patients with clinical and chest x-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis, three sputum samples should be collected over an 8-24 hour period of time (including at least one first morning specimen).

 

 Test ID
CAFB

EPIC Test ID
LAB877

Performing Laboratory

Pathology Lab, Des Moines, IA

Use the following link for additional information.

Clinical Testing | Pathology Laboratory

Specimen Requirements

Acceptable Specimens:

Sputum, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Gastric Aspirate, Urine, Body Fluid, Tissue/Sterile Container

Unacceptable Conditions:

Dry specimen, Leaking container, inadequate volume of sputum or fluid specimens (<5 ml), specimen on swab.

Stability:

  • Refrigerated: 7 days
  • Ambient: 24 hours

See the following link for specimen specific collection guidelines:

PL-Microbiology Specimen Collection Guidelines (2020.07.22).pdf (pathologylab.org)

Reference Values

Negative

Critical value: all positives

Day(s) Test Set Up

Setup daily, on day shift. (Cultures read on the dayshift only.)

Smear results 24 hours of being received at reference lab, Culture 8 weeks

Note: There is no courier to the reference lab on Saturday and Sunday.

Methodology

Tube Culture/ ESP continuous Monitoring System/ AFB Smear

Note: Analytic time for culture is 8 weeks.

Test Classification and CPT Coding

87015

87116

87206