Specimen Requirements

Ambient specimen must arrive within 1 hour of collection.

Specimen Type: Bronchial brush, broncial washing, bronchoalveolar lavage, deep throat, pleural fluid, sputum, sptutm-induced, tracheal aspirate, gastric aspirate

Container/Tube: Sterile container or Eswab for deep throat only
Specimen Volume:  5mL or 1 swab

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

Additional Information: Specimen source is required.