AFB Direct Stain
General Information
Lab Name
AFB Direct Stain
Lab Code
AFBST
Epic Name
Direct Exam - Direct AFB Stain
Description
Direct smears for stool and bone marrow specimens. For specimens other than stool, a culture is always performed with a smear because a smear alone has an unacceptably low sensitivity for AFB detection (see AFB Culture with Stain [AFBHSC], AFB Culture, Bone Marrow [AFBBNM], Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB) Blood Culture (Sendout) [RAFBBC]).
Synonyms
Acid Fast, Acid Fast Smear, Acid Fast Stain, AFB Smear, AFB Stain, MAC, MAI, MTB, Mycobacteria Stain, TB, TB Stain, Tuberculosis Stain
Components
| Code | Name |
|---|---|
| SDES | Specimen Description |
| SREQ | Special Requests |
| AFBSTN | AFB Stain |
| RPT | Report Status |
Interpretation
Method
Microscopy
Reference Range
See individual componentsOrdering & Collection
Specimen Type
Collection
Stool: 5-10 grams in sterile cup.
Note: If stool AFB smear is positive, AFB Culture (AFBHC) is logged by the requesting laboratory (UW-ML or HMC) and performed by HMC Microbiology.
Bone Marrow: 2 prepared smears or collection in a heparin or EDTA tube.
Note: See AFB Culture, Bone Marrow [AFBBNM] or Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB) Blood Culture (Sendout) [RAFBBC] for AFB Bone Marrow Culture specimen requirements.
Handling Instructions
Transport smears in a slide container taped closed and labeled BIOHAZARD.
Note: Transport specimens within 1 hour at room temperature or within 24 hours at refrigerator temperature.
Quantity
requested: see above
minimum: 2 smears
Processing
If specimen is not stool or bone marrow, Login: AFBHSC (AFB culture with smear)
Performance
LIS Dept Code
Microbiology (MC)
Performing Location(s)
| HMC |
Microbiology
206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420 |
|---|
Frequency
Daily
Available STAT?
Call lab