Acid fast stain

Alphabetical Test listing

Acid fast stain-6551

Test name:

Acid fast stain

Test number:

6551

Excellian order number:

LAB6551

Abbreviation:

AFS

Useful for:

For detection of Acid Fast Bacilli (TB)

Due to the insensitivity of the test, requests for AFB Stain only (AFS/6551) are not recommended and require Pathologist approval with the following exception:

If a patient has recent positive AFB smears or recent cultures positive with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, physician requests for AFB Stain only do not need Pathologist approval.

Limitations:

For Cyclospora, see Cyclospora smear, stool

Specimen type:

Sputum

Collection container:

Screw cap plastic container (sterile)

Transport container:

Screw cap plastic container (sterile)

Alternate specimen type:

Duodenal drainage, bile, or pulmonary source

Alternate collection container:

Stool transport media/vial - Ova & Parasite (EcoFix)

Alternate processing instructions:

Place non-stool specimen in Ecofix preservative vial within 1 hour of sample collection.

Alternate transport container:

Stool transport media/vial - Ova & Parasite (EcoFix)

Transport and stability:

Sterile cup:

Refrigerated - 7 days

Ambient - 7 days

Ecofix vial:

Ambient

Reason for rejection:

Improper label (unlabeled or mislabeled)
Time delay between time of collection and receipt of specimen
Inappropriate timing of collection
Improper transport container
Improper transport temperature
Interfering substances
Inappropriate specimen type
Expectorated sputum with oropharyngeal contamination
Leaking container
Overfilled Ecofix vial

Performing lab:

AHL - Microbiology: M

Days set up:

Mo - Sa

CPT codes:

82706
87015

Date created:

03/09/2020

Revised date:

02/28/2022

Review date:

12/07/2021