Test Overview
BD MGIT, Culture
Isolate and identify mycobacteria
No growth of mycobacteria
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Stool cultures are frequently overgrown with bacterial contamination. This culture is recommended only for immuno-compromised patients suspected of Mycobacterium avium complex infection or patients with intestinal lesions.
Test Details
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.
- AFBS
- Stool Culture, AFB
- Culture, Stool, AFB
- Feces, AFB Culture
- Mycobacteria Culture, Stool
- TB Culture, Stool
- AFB Smear and Culture
- BAFB
- AFB BTA CULTURE
- Acid Fast Bacilli Culture, Stool
Specimen Requirements
This test is rarely positive, and is no longer performed as a routine test. A staff physician or a member of the Infectious Diseases Service at the client site must contact the MLabs Client Services Center and consult with the laboratory regarding clinical necessity for the test before the specimen will be processed. Collect in stool culture transport available from MLabs. Add stool specimen to transport until liquid reaches fill line. Emulsify specimen thoroughly in transport fluid. For optimum recovery, send immediately. If specimen must be stored, refrigerate immediately after specimen collection. May be refrigerated up to 24 hrs. Indicate specimen source and collection date/time. If an unacceptable specimen is received, the client will be notified and another specimen will be requested before disposal of the specimen.
Additional Information
Test includes culture and acid-fast smear. Test includes Identification and 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. M. avium complex susceptibility testing is sent to Mayo Medical Laboratories. Rapidly growing mycobacteria susceptibility testing performed in the UMHS Microbiology department. A subculture of the isolate is kept for 1 year 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.