Daily, Monday - Friday

1 day to 6 weeks for non-viable cultures

To identify the species of mycobacteria in a culture isolate

No

Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing will be automatically performed on all isolates positive for MTBC (fee-exempt). 

Susceptibility testing (MM00204) will be automatically performed on the first M. tuberculosis complex isolate from a new patient. (Additional charge)

The initial M. tuberculosis complex isolate from a patient will be automatically genotyped as part of the CDC universal genotyping program (fee-exempt).

Pure isolate of an acid fast organism on solid or in liquid media commonly used for the isolation of mycobacteria species.

CDD Requisition Form A

Laboratory regulations require the following minimum information to be provided on the requisition form for a specimen to be accepted for testing: Patient name or unique identifier, date and time of collection, patient date of birth and sex, specimen type/site of collection, test request(s), clinician name and UPIN, and address for reporting results. Please be certain that name/identifier on the form matches that on the specimen label which is required to have a minimum of two identifiers.

Cultures may be transported to the laboratory at ambient temperatures. Avoid temperature extremes. 

Cultures of M. tuberculosis complex should be packaged and transported according to the guidelines outlined for Category A Infectious Substances. Cultures containing unidentified acid-fast organisms should be packaged and transported according to guidelines for Category B Biological Substances.

Monday-Friday 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Saturday 6:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Mycobacterial species or complex identification. Culture negative for mycobacteria.

Mixed or contaminated cultures will take longer and an identification may not be possible. 

Identification of poorly growing or non-viable acid-fast organisms may not be possible. 

Identification of aerobic actinomycetes, other than Nocardia species, to the genus level is not performed.

Identification of aerobic actinomycetes to the species level can be performed at National Jewish Health. See MM02879 - Mycobacteria Susceptibility Testing - National Jewish Health for send-out requirements. 

For susceptibility testing of clinically significant mycobacteria isolates, see M. tuberculosis (TB) Susceptibility First Line Drugs, and M. avium complex (MAC) susceptibility. 

For extended susceptibility testing, see MM02879 - Mycobacteria Susceptibility Testing - National Jewish Health.

If cultures are known to be mixed or contaminated, please note this on the requisition at time of submission to maximize isolation of pure organism. 

Mycobacteria identification may include one or more of the following analyses: MALDI-TOF, real-time PCR, 16S/rpoB gene sequencing, and growth characteristics.

Identification of Mycobacterium to the complex or species level.

Exempt and Laboratory Developed Test (LDT)

No

1-800-862-1065 arbill@slh.wisc.edu