Acid-Fast Smear for Mycobacterium

CPT CODE:

USEFUL FOR:

Detection of acid-fast bacilli in clinical specimens

SPECIMEN REQUIRED:

Place specimen in a screw-capped, sterile container. (Blood orserum is not acceptable). Send specimen refrigerated. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.Note:    If ordering electronically, no form is required with the specimen.                  If not ordering electronically. please complete and submit                  a "Microbiology Request Form" (Supply T244) with the                   specimen.

TRANSPORT TEMPERATURE:

Refrig\Ambient OK\Frozen NO

CLINICAL INFORMATION:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a leading infectious disease causeof death worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionhas reported a rise in the incidence of tuberculosis associated withacquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS), foreign-born cases,and increased transmission in high-risk populations. There has alsobeen a rise in the number of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains thatexhibit resistance to 1 or more antituberculosis drugs. The publichealth implications of these facts are considerable.
Because Mycobacterium tuberculosis is readily spread by airborneparticles, rapid diagnosis and isolation of infected persons is important.Detection of acid-fast bacilli in sputum specimens allows rapididentification of individuals who are likely to be infected while definitivediagnosis and treatment are pursued.

CLINICAL INTERPRETATION:

Patients whose sputum specimens are identified as acid-fast positiveshould be considered potentially infected with Mycobacteriumtuberculosis, pending definitive diagnosis by molecular methodsand/or mycobacterial culture.

REFERENCE VALUES:

Negative (reported as positive or negative)