Bacillus anthracis Culture Print

WSLH Department: CDD - Communicable Disease Division
WSLH Test Code: MP00330
Day(s) Performed:

Daily, Monday - Saturday
Turn-around Time:

2-5 Days
Recommended Uses:

To identify infection caused by Bacillus anthracis.
Pre-approval:

Yes, please contact CDD Customer Service at (800)-862-1013 prior to submission
Contraindications:

Patient does not have signs or symptoms of anthrax.
Additional Tests Performed:

Isolates consistent with B. anthracis will be automatically confirmed by RT-PCR.
Preparation for Collection:
Specimen Requirements:

Swab of lesion or eschar in sterile saline or bacterial transport medium; tissue; positive blood culture bottle; sputum; or isolated colony
Collection Instructions:
Collection Kit/Container:
Requisition Form:
Required Information:

Please include all pertinent clinical information and exposure history. 

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:

Formalinized tissue and specimens in viral transport media are unacceptable for B. anthracis culture.
Specimen Handling:

Transport to the laboratory as soon as possible. Store specimens at refrigerated temperature (2-8°C) and ship with frozen cold packs. Ship blood culture bottles at room temperature.
Packaging Requirements:
Courier Information:

Contact Purple Mountain Dispatch at 800-990-9668 for specimen pick up.
Specimen Receiving Hours:

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

Negative for B. anthracis

Bacillus anthracis detected
Limitations:

Organisms other than B. anthracis will not be identified.
Additional Tests Recommended:
Additional Comments:

B. anthracis is a Select Agent under Federal regulations and must be reported to the CDC Select Agent Program.
Methodology:

Bacterial culture with RT-PCR confirmation
Includes:

Culture and identification of B. anthracis from clinical specimens and isolates.
Regulatory Compliance:
CPT Code: 87081
Price: $61.00
Fee Exempt Eligible:

Yes, all testing for clinical purposes is fee exempt
Billing and Revenue Office:

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