Specimen Requirements

For blood, order Culture, AFB (Acid-Fast Bacilli), Blood.

Ambient specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

Specimen Type: Body fluid

Container/Tube: Sterile container-Swab or culturette is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: Collect 1 specimen per body site per 24 hours.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: BAL or bronchial washing

Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions: Collect 1 specimen per body site per 24 hours.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: CSF

Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 2 mL

Collection Instructions: CSF specimen will not be performed unless WBC count is >5, protein is elevated, and/or glucose value is below normal. Collect 1 specimen per body site per 24 hours.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Sputum

Container/Tube: Sterile container
Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions: When patients have clinical and chest x-ray findings compatible with tuberculosis, 3 sputum specimens are recommended, collected over an 8 to 24 hour period of time and should include at least 1 first-morning specimen. Do not pool specimens.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Tissue

Container/Tube: Sterile container-Swab or culturette is not acceptable.

Specimen Volume: 1 piece of tissue

Collection Instructions: Collect 1 specimen per body site per 24 hours.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.

Specimen Type: Urine, random

Container/Tube: Sterile collection cup or urine tube
Specimen Volume: 5 mL

Collection Instructions: No preservative.

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.