Test Overview
Bactec Blood Culture, AFB
Effective method for isolating atypical mycobacteria from blood in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
No growth of mycobacteria
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Test Details
Preliminary results are reported in 24 hours. The health care provider will be notified of positive cultures. Negative cultures are reported after 6 weeks.
- Blood Culture, AFB
- AFB, M. avium-intracellulare Blood Culture
- Blood Culture, M. avium-intracellulare
- Culture, Blood, AFB
- M. avium-intracellulare Blood Culture
- Mycobacteria Culture, Blood
- Quantitative Blood Culture
- TB Culture, Blood
- Acid Fast Bacilli Culture, Blood
Specimen Requirements
Swab skin over the site of venipuncture with iodoform solution for 1 minute in a 2 inch circular area around vein to be used, using vigorous strokes and working from the center to the periphery. Allow to dry 2 minutes before performing venipuncture. If use of 2% iodine preparation is contraindicated in patients sensitive to iodine, alcohol alone may be used. DO NOT palpitate venipuncture site after preparation. Draw blood into BacTec Myco/F Lytic Culture Vial . Do not refrigerate or incubate. For optimum recovery, send directly to the laboratory. Label bottle with patients name, registration number, and culture number or anatomic site if more than one culture is drawn at one time. Indicate specimen source, collection date/time, current antibiotic or antifungal therapy, and clinical diagnosis. If unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified before disposal of the original specimen.
Additional Information
Test includes blood culture for isolation and identification, particularly M. avium-intracellulare. Test includes susceptibility testing of potentially pathogenic organism(s) at an additional charge unless specifically declined. Susceptibilities are performed on the first organism isolated from a patient and at 2-6 month intervals if that organism continues to be isolated while the patient is on therapy. M. tuberculosis susceptibility testing is sent to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS); although there is no charge for testing, MLabs charges a handling fee for processing and forwarding specimens to MDHHS. Non-tuberculosis susceptibility testing is sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories. A subculture of the isolate is kept by the Microbiology Laboratory for further testing, if necessary. By ordering this test, the clinician acknowledges that additional reflex testing will be performed and billed a separate additional charge if indicated.