Home
HelpEpic Test Code LAB246 Mycobacterial Culture, Blood
Additional Codes
MML:CTBBL
Reporting Name
Mycobacterial Culture, BUseful For
Diagnosing mycobacteremia
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
Whole bloodShipping Instructions
Specimen must be processed within 7 days of collection.
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Green top (sodium or lithium heparin)
Acceptable: SPS (sodium polyanethol sulfonate)
Specimen Volume: 8 to 10 mL per culture
Collection Instructions:
1. Send whole blood specimen in original tube.
2. SPS tubes are acceptable, but not preferred.
3. Note: SPS tubes must be clearly labeled as SPS. If label is obscured, sample may be canceled, as ACD (yellow top) is not an acceptable tube type.
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Whole blood | Ambient (preferred) | 7 days |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
Reference Values
Negative
If positive, mycobacteria are identified.
A final negative report will be issued after 42 days of incubation.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
87116-Mycobacterial Culture
87118-Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec AFB (if appropriate)
87150-Id, Mtb Speciation, PCR (if appropriate)
87150-Mycobacteria Probe Ident, Solid (if appropriate)
87153-Mtb PZA Confirmation, pcnA sequence (if appropriate)
87153-Mycobacteria Identification by Sequencing (if appropriate)
87150- Id, MTB complex Rapid PCR (if appropriate)
Clinical Information
Mycobacteremia occurs most often in immunocompromised hosts. The majority of disseminated mycobacterial infections are due to Mycobacterium avium complex but bacteremia can also be caused by other mycobacterial species including, but not limited to, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium szulgai, and Mycobacterium xenopi.(1)
Mycobacterial blood cultures may be indicated for patients presenting with signs and symptoms of sepsis, especially fever of unknown origin.
Interpretation
A positive result may support the diagnosis of mycobacteremia.
Cautions
Results must be interpreted in conjunction with the patient's history and clinical picture.
A negative result does not rule out mycobacteremia. The organism may be present at quantities below the limit of detection or may be transiently present.
If Mycobacterium genavense is suspected, indicate on request form or contact laboratory. Mycobactin J (an iron supplement) will then be added to the culture to support growth.
Supportive Data
During validation of this test, a variety of mycobacteria were recovered from spiked blood specimens. These mycobacteria were Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium xenopi. Mycobacterium genavense was recovered when the medium was supplemented with mycobactin J (an iron supplement). In addition, aerobic actinomycetes including Nocardia farcinica, Gordonia terrae, Rhodococcus equi, and Tsukamurella paurometabola were also recovered when spiked into blood. The limit of detection was determined to be less than or equal to 10(2) colony forming units (CFU)/mL for Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 10 CFU/mL for Mycobacterium intracellulare, and 1 CFU/mL for Nocardia farcinica.
Report Available
42 daysSpecimen Retention Time
24 daysReject Due To
| Blood Culture bottles (eg, BACTEC mycoF Lytic, VersaTrek) Isolator Clotted |
Reject |
Specimen Minimum Volume
5 mL
NY State Approved
YesReflex Tests
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISMY | ID by 16S Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| RMALM | Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec AFB | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| RTBSP | Id, Mtb Speciation, PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| LCTB | Id, MTB complex Rapid PCR | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed at an additional charge.
Method Name
Continuously Monitored Automated Broth Culture Instrument with Conventional Methods for Identification of Mycobacteria
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.