Mycobacteria Identification Print

WSLH Department: CDD - Communicable Disease Division
WSLH Test Code: MM00253
Day(s) Performed:

Daily, Monday - Friday
Turn-around Time:

1 day to 6 weeks for non-viable cultures
Recommended Uses:

To identify the species of mycobacteria in a culture isolate
Pre-approval:

No
Contraindications:
Additional Tests Performed:

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).
Preparation for Collection:
Specimen Requirements:

Pure isolate of an acid fast organism on solid or in liquid media commonly used for the isolation of mycobacteria species.
Collection Instructions:
Collection Kit/Container:
Requisition Form:
Required Information:

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.
Rejection Criteria:
Specimen Handling:

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

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.
Courier Information:
Specimens submitted for surveillance or at the request of a public health department are eligible for fee-exempt courier. Contact Purple Mountain Dispatch at 800-990-9668 for specimen pickup.
Specimen Receiving Hours:

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

Mycobacterial species or complex identification. Culture negative for mycobacteria.
Limitations:

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.
Additional Tests Recommended:

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.
Additional Comments:

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. 
Methodology:

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

Identification of Mycobacterium to the complex or species level.
Regulatory Compliance:
CPT Code: 87118
Price: $105.00
Fee Exempt Eligible:

No
Billing and Revenue Office:

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