AFB Stain Only




Test Mnemonic

AFS

CPT Codes

  • 87206 - QTY (1)

Aliases

  • Acid Fast Stain

Performing Laboratory

Cleveland Clinic Laboratories


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
5 mLSputumSterile container AmbientNote: Specimen may be induced or expectorated. A minimum of three early morning sputum specimens collected on separate days is recommended. Specimens must be collected at least 8 hours apart. Plan collection of these specimens to ensure they reach the laboratory before 12:00 noon. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs.
5 mLAspirate, bronchialSterile container AmbientNote: larger volumes improve recovery. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs.
5 mLAspirate, trachealSterile container AmbientNote: larger volumes improve recovery. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs.
5 mLAspirate, gastricSterile container AmbientNote: Patient must be fasting. Transport: transport to laboratory for receipt within 4 hours of collection. For increased sensitivity, collect specimens on 3 consecutive days.
5 mLFluid, bodySterile container AmbientTransport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs. Swabs are unacceptable.
2 mLCerebrospinal fluid (CSF)Sterile container AmbientNote: Culture yield is increased with larger specimen volumes. Transport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs.
UnspecifiedAspirate(s)Sterile container AmbientNote: Larger volumes improve recovery. Swabs are unacceptable. Transport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs. Swabs are unacceptable.
1 gTissueSterile container AmbientNote: Add a small amount of sterile saline or sterile water to keep tissue moist. Send separate portions to Surgical Pathology. Separate the portion of the surgical specimen submitted for AFB Culture using sterile technique. Transport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs. Swabs are unacceptable.
5 mLUrine, randomSterile container AmbientNote: 40mL volume preferred. Submit entire first morning void in sterile container. For increased sensitivity, collect specimens on 3 consecutive days. Twenty-four hour collections are unacceptable. Patient Preparation: Usual preparation for clean-catch mid-void urine collection. Transport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs.
1 gStoolSterile container AmbientTransport Temp.: Ambient; Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hrs. Swabs are unacceptable.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
2 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
Ambient24 hours
Refrigerated1 week
FrozenUnacceptable

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

2 days

Methodology

Name Description
Stain 

Reference Range

AFB Stain
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
~        

Special Info

For AFB stain positive respiratory and fresh tissue specimens, Mycobacteria tuberculosis complex versus nontuberculous Mycobacteria PCR will be added at an additional charge. Test should be ordered by Outside Clients only. Culture is recommended in conjunction with AFB stain (order code= AFC).

Clinical Info

Acid Fast Stain should be ordered in conjunction with culture to diagnose an infection due to mycobacteria. Smear alone is not recommended unless following a patient previously diagnosed as positive for acid fast bacilli. A single negative culture does not rule out the presence of a mycobacterial infection.