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North West London Pathology > Tests > TB and mycobacterial culture

TB and mycobacterial culture

Category Microbiology >> Microbiology
Test background
Clinical Indications
Sample & container required • Respiratory samples (sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, bronchial washing, tracheal aspirate) • Tissue samples and biopsies including lymph node • Aspirates including fine needle aspirate and gastric washings • Fluids (pleural, ascetic, pericardial, etc.) • Pus samples • Early morning urine (EMU) samples

Sterile universal container.
Sample collection

Three consecutive EMU samples are required for culture. Minimum volume for each sample is approx. 100 mL.
Blood and bone marrow samples are collected using specific TB culture bottles obtained from Pathology Reception
Transport storage Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or refrigerate overnight
Turnaround time 6-8 weeks
Notes
  • Three consecutive EMU samples are required for culture. Minimum volume for each sample is approx. 100 mL.
  • 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, Public Health England, for further investigation.
  • Urgent Auramine stain samples may be order separate in out of hours