AFB Blood Culture

Specimen Tube Type Transport

Bactec Myco/F-Lytic

Critical Value

Positive for AFB

Summary Test Name

AFB Blood Culture

Container Microbiology

Whole blood in a Bactec Myco/F-Lytic Bottle

Transport Time

Bring to lab within 2 hours of collection

Specimen Stability

8 hours at room temperature

Minimum Volume

3 ml/ bottle Minimum, bottle obtained from Lab

Specimen Transport

Room Temperature

Stat Availability

24 hours a day, seven days a week

Test Turnaround Time Routines And Stats

Specimens held for 6 weeks before finalized as negative

Patient Preparation

Always draw Bactec Myco/F-Lytic Bottles (red cap) before other blood tests.

Disinfect skin with Chlorhexidine prep, swabbing concentrically from the center outward.

Allow Chlorhexidine prep to dry for 30 seconds before collecting blood specimens.

Disinfect bottle stoppers with alcohol swab.

Using a sterile needle and syringe, add 3-5 ml blood to the bottle.

Do not change needle during procedure.

Invert bottle to mix. Place patient label on the bottle. Do not cover the bottle bar code.

Reference Value

No AFB isolated

Test Results

Negative or positive for AFB with DNA Probe for MTB, MAIC, MGOR if positive; further ID if Probe negative; sensitivities sent to reference lab

Additional Test Information

Call Microbiology (717)-531-8353 for bottle/need to pickup bottle from Lab window in ground south