TB and mycobacterial culture
Sterile universal container.
Sputum specimens: Two to three samples of ≥5mL should be collected approximately 8 to 24 hours apart with at least one from early morning
Bronchoalveolar lavage/bronchial washings: Minimum sample size is preferably 5mL
Gastric washings: Collect minimum volume of 5mL samples early in the morning (before breakfast) on 3 consecutive days
Sterile site body fluids: Collect aseptically as much sample as possible into a CE Marked leak proof container in a sealed plastic bag
Urine specimens: Three consecutive EMU samples are required for culture. Minimum volume for each sample is approx. 100 mL
Skin, bone, and tissue including post mortem specimens: Specimens should be collected aseptically and placed in a CE Marked leak proof container without preservatives in a sealed plastic bag, and sterile distilled water added to prevent desiccation.
Pus samples: Should be collected aseptically, and the largest practical sample submitted in CE marked leak-proof container in a sealed plastic bag
Bone marrow and blood: Blood and bone marrow samples are collected using specific TB culture bottles obtained from Pathology Reception
- Samples may be referred to the Mycobacteria Reference Unit, UK Health Security Agency, for further investigation.
- Urgent Auramine stain samples may be order separate in out of hours.
Record last updated
August 27, 2025
Sample Container
60ml Universal container - Sputum and Fluids (White top)
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Test Results
Yes, we have a Pathology User Guide
Yes. Please email your request to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Results are communicated to clinical staff and are normally not communicated direct to patients either on telephone requests or in written report. If you need to contact us please click here to view the contact details page
Please contact the Customer Service Team Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 6:00pm on 0203 313 5353. Alternatively, see the Pathology User Guide for how to contact the relevant department. If advice is not urgent you can also email your query to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net
Additional tests may be added by discussion with the relevant laboratory. The time limit for adding additional tests to a sample already received in the laboratory will depend on the type of sample and the department it was sent to.
Information on the repertoire of tests performed by pathology, including reference ranges, turnaround times and specimen requirements, can be found in the test directory.
Phlebotomy services are not managed by NWLP. For further information please see:
Imperial College Healthcare Trust Phlebotomy services
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Phlebotomy services
NWLP operates UKAS accredited medical laboratories as per the references below. The current scope of accreditation for all NWLP’s laboratories can be found on the UKAS website.
See the following UKAS ref numbers:
- Clinical Biochemistry Ref: 8673
- Haematology and Blood Transfusion Ref: 8674
- Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) Ref: 8659
- Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) Ref: 9615
If you require copies of our certificate of accreditation and associated documentation please contact Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net.
UKAS requires the laboratories to be accredited for a particular repertoire/scope (ISO15189), any changes or additions to repertoire require assessment by UKAS (extension to scope).
The BD Hospital Tube Guide, BD GP Tube Guide and BD Paediatric Tube Guide provide visual references to the correct tube types and collection instructions.
Home testing
INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION
We also have two instruction videos available (one with subtitles and one without) – please click on the links to view the videos on Google.
Our accreditations
Upholding excellence in diagnostic standards
Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.
Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.
UKAS website