Test Overview
Test Methodology

BD MGIT, Culture

Test Usage

Isolate and identify mycobacteria

Reference Range *

No growth of mycobacteria

* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.

Test Details
Days Set Up
Monday - Saturday
Analytic Time

Preliminary results are reported in 12-24 hours. The health care provider will be notified of positive cultures. Negative cultures are reported after 6 weeks.

Soft Order Code
BAFB
Synonyms
  • AFBS
  • Body Fluid Culture, AFB
  • Ascitic Fluid, AFB Culture
  • Culture, Body Fluid, AFB
  • Mycobacteria Culture, Body Fluid
  • Pericardial Fluid, AFB Culture
  • Peritoneal Fluid, AFB Culture
  • Pleural Fluid, AFB Culture
  • Synovial Fluid, AFB Culture
  • TB Culture, Body Fluid
  • Thoracentesis Fluid, AFB Culture
  • AFB BTA CULTURE
  • BAFB
  • AFB Smear and Culture
  • Acid Fast Bacilli Culture, Body Fluid
Laboratory
Microbiology
Section
Microbiology
Specimen Requirements
Collection Instructions

Collect specimen following sterile preparation of aspiration site. For optimum recovery, send directly to MLabs. If specimen must be stored, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. Do not incubate. May be refrigerated up to 24 hrs. Do not send swabs. Indicate specimen source, collection date/time, current antibiotic therapy and clinical diagnosis on requisition. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified before disposal of the original specimen.

Normal Volume
0.5 - 10 mL of fluid, or as much as possible. DO NOT SEND SWABS.
Minimum Volume
0.5 - 10 mL of fluid, or as much as possible. DO NOT SEND SWABS.
Additional Information

Test includes culture, acid-fast smear and concentration of specimen if greater than 2 mL received. 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. Mycobacterium tuberculosis organism ID and 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 at a separate additional charge if indicated.

Billing
CPT Code
87116 Culture, 87206 Smear
Fee Code
32258, 20203