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Test Code LAB13172 Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR with Rifampin Resistance, Respiratory Sources

Important Note

Respiratory (performed at MUSC):  MTB PCR with Rifampin Resistance, Respiratory Sources [LAB13172]

Non-Respiratory (Send-out test):  Mycobacterium tuberculosis by PCR, Non-Respiratory [LAB3311]

Additional Codes

MTB PCR

Collection:

Bronchial specimens:  BAL, bronchial brushings, secretions, or washings.

Gastric Lavage Fluid or Gastric Aspirates: Collect fasting early morning specimens, one on each of three (3) consecutive days, for optimum detection of AFB.  Use sterile saline. Specimen must be neutralized in the Micro Lab within 45 minutes of collection. 

Unacceptable/Rejected Specimens: Specimens more than 1 hour old.

Sputum, Endotracheal or Tracheal Aspirate: Sputum is primarily the specimen of choice for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB. Patients with a productive cough may have 3 specimens collected, one every 8 hours, as long as one of them is an early morning specimen.

If this criteria cannot be met, early morning specimens should be collected on 3 successive days.

Specimens collected within 8 hours may be pooled. AFB techs will notify the patients nurse that specimens have been pooled, the duplicate cancelled and a new specimen outside the 8 hour time frame is needed. 

Unacceptable/Rejected Specimens: Specimens on swab.

 

Container / Volume

Bronchial or BAL Specimens:  Volume 10 mL; Minimum 5 mL, sterile container

Gastric Lavage Fluid or Gastric Aspirates:  Volume 10 mL; Minimum 5 mL.

Respiratory Specimens:  Volume 10 mL; Minimum 5 mL, sterile container
 

Unacceptable / Rejected Specimens:

Gastric specimens more than 1-hour old, other specimens more than 2 hours old.

Specimens in bacteriostatic saline; saline with preservatives or formalin.

Specimens collected or submitted on a swab.
 

Shipping / Handling:

On-campus collections: 
   Send specimen to lab within 1 hour of collection.
 
Off-campus collections: 
   Specimen to be stored/transported at refrigerated temperature.
 
Send to:  Central Processing - EH318 University Extension Hospital (former Children's Hospital)
 

Note

If MTB PCR with Rifampin Resistance, Respiratory Sources [LAB13172] is ordered by itself without a culture, a reflex AFB Culture [LAB877] will be added on.