• Rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA, preferred method
• Detection of M tuberculosis, when used in conjunction with mycobacterial culture

• This test should not be used to determine bacteriologic cure or to monitor response to therapy
• This test is not intended for the detection of latent tuberculosis and must not be used as a substitute for tests intended for detection of latent tuberculosis such as the tuberculin skin test (TST/PPD) or an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)

See collection instructions

Submit only one (1) of the following specimens:

Body fluid (Body, bone marrow aspirate, CSF or ocular fluid)

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL)

Additional information: Only fresh, non-NALC/NaOH-digested body fluid is acceptable.

Respiratory (BAL, bronchial washing, or sputum)

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 1 mL if only PCR ordered or 3 mL if PCR ordered with smear and culture (minimum 0.5 mL)

Feces

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 10 g (minimum 5 g)

Additional information: Only fresh, non-NALC/NaOH-digested fecal specimens are acceptable.

Gastric washing

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 2 mL (minimum 1 mL)

Collection Instructions: Neutralize specimen within 4 hours of collection with 20 mg of sodium carbonate per 2 mL of gastric washing.

Tissue  (Fresh tissue, bone, or bone marrow biopsy)

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 10 mm (minimum 5 mm)

Collection instructions: Keep moist with sterile water or sterile saline

Additional information: Only fresh, non-NALC/NaOH-digested tissue is acceptable.

Urine, random

Container/tube: Sterile container

Volume: 1 mL (minimum 0.5 mL)

Submit specimen in the collection container

Sterile vial/tube

1. Submit digested specimen treated with NALC/NaOH.
2. Clearly indicate on container and order form that specimen is a digested specimen.

Sterile vial/tube

Specimen source is required

Refrigerated (preferred) – 7 days

Ambient – NO

Frozen – 7 days

• Blood
• Specimen in anaerobe vial or viral transport medium (including but not limited to M4, M5, BD viral transport media, thioglycolate broth)
• Swabs
• Tissues in formalin
• Specimens greater than 7 days old

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

An interpretive report will be provided