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Lab Test Details

Mycobacterium - AFB Smear and Culture

Updated

4/24/2023

Search TermsAcid Fast Bacillus (AFB); GeneXpert; Mycobacteria; Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB); M. tuberculosis; M. avium; NTM
How to Order On the General Microbiology Test Request Form (OHA0060), in the “Mycobacteria” section, check the “AFB: Smear/Culture; sputum or primary specimen” box.
Availability County and State Public Health entities
PerformedDaily on regular business days
Time to Reporting Smear: within 2 working days after receipt of specimen.
GeneXpert: within 3 working days after receipt of specimen or clinician request, whichever is later.
Culture: up to 9 weeks after receipt of specimen.
CPT Code87015, 87206, 87116, 87552


Specimen Collection Details

Collection Collection kits available on request. Collect Sputum into 50ml tube provided  Detailed instructions for collection, packaging, and submission of specimens (pdf)
Optimal Volume5 ml - 10 ml (Not more than 10 ml)
Minimum Volume0.5 ml (volumes under 1.0 ml processed with qualifier)
HandlingStore samples at refrigerated temperatures (2-8ºC) pending transport.
TransportPackage specimens with fully frozen ice packs to maintain refrigerated temperatures during transport. Receipt at the OSPHL within 24 hours of specimen collection is greatly preferred. 
Rejection CriteriaSpecimens are subject to the requirements of the OSPHL Specimen Submission Policy and Criteria, available at: http://bit.ly/SpecimenCriteria.
Comments Original material submitted for testing is not retained after receipt and processing at the laboratory.

Specimens received after 5 days of specimen collection may be contaminated with non-AFB organisms and will be processed with a qualifier.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the laboratory at 503-693-4100

Method Details

Methodology

Standard reference methods for AFB smear and Culture

Performance Specifications
MTBC IS6110:
  • Percent Accuracy - 100%
  • Positive Predictive Value - 100%
  • Negative Predictive Value - 100%
  • Coefficient of Variation - 0.32
  • Misclassification Rate - 0%
  • Limit of Detection - <1 CFU/50uL
MTBC RD9:
  • Percent Accuracy - 100%
  • Positive Predictive Value - 100%
  • Negative Predictive Value - 100%
  • Coefficient of Variation - 0.31
  • Misclassification Rate - 0%
  • Limit of Detection - <1 CFU/50uL
MAC 15S-23S:
  • Percent Accuracy - 100%
  • Positive Predictive Value - 100%
  • Negative Predictive Value - 100%
  • Coefficient of Variation - 0.2
  • Misclassification Rate - 0%
  • Limit of Detection - <2 CFU/uL

Change Log

4/24/2023
Updated Search Terms and How to Order
3/15/2021

Comprehensive changes to detailed instructions document, review as new; Edit Search Terms, Time to Reporting, Performance Specifications