TB Culture
Clinical Background:
For diagnostic purposes, all persons suspected of having TB disease at any site should have sputum specimens collected for an AFB smear and culture, even those without respiratory symptoms. At leas...
For diagnostic purposes, all persons suspected of having TB disease at any site should have sputum specimens collected for an AFB smear and culture, even those without respiratory symptoms. At least three consecutive sputum specimens are needed, each collected in 8- to 24-hour intervals, with at least one being an early morning specimen.
Read MoreTest Details
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Discipline:
Microbiology
Microbiology
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Sputum, BAL, ETS or other sample in sterile universal
Sputum, BAL, ETS or other sample in sterile universal
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Minimum Volume Adult:
5 ml
5 ml
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
1 ml
1 ml
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Special Requirement:
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
Send to laboratory as quickly as possible. If delays likely, refrigerate at 2-8 deg C
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Sample Stability:
Stable for up to 24 hours
Stable for up to 24 hours
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Transport Requirements:
Standard
Standard
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Add On Test:
N/A
N/A
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Quality Assurance:
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)
UK National External Quality Assurance Scheme (UKNEQAS)