Nocardia Culture Only
Test Mnemonic
NOCARC
CPT Codes
- 87116 - QTY (1)
LOINC ®
11475-1
Aliases
- Aerobic Actinomycete Culture
Performing Laboratory
Cleveland Clinic Laboratories
Specimen Requirements
| Volume | Type | Container | Collect Temperature | Transport Temperature | Special Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mL | Fluid, body | Sterile container | Ambient | Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. | |
| 5 mL | Sputum | Sterile container | Ambient | Specimen may be induced or expectorated. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. | |
| 5 mL | Aspirate, bronchial | Sterile container | Ambient | Larger volumes improve recovery. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. | |
| 5 mL | Aspirate, tracheal | Sterile container | Ambient | Larger volumes improve recovery. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. | |
| Unspecified | Aspirate(s) | Sterile container | Ambient | Larger volumes improve recovery. Swabs are unacceptable. Refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. | |
| 1 g | Tissue | Sterile container | Ambient | 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 temperature is ambient; refrigeration is preferred if transport is delayed longer than 2 - 4 hours. |
Stability
| Environmental Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Ambient | 24 hours |
| Refrigerated | 48 hours |
| Frozen | Unacceptable |
Days Performed
Sun - Sat
Turnaround Time
5 weeks
Methodology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Culture |
Reference Range
| Nocardia Culture Only | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | Age From | Age To | Type | Range | Range Unit |
| Freetext | Negative for Nocardia |
Special Info
Indicate specimen source on requisition. If culture is positive with Nocardia spp., identification will be performed at an additional charge. Identification CPT codes that may apply include: 87153, 87158. Antimicrobial susceptibilities are performed when requested and tested at an outside reference lab; CPT code 87186 would apply.
Clinical Info
Culture is performed to identify an infection due to Nocardia. Test includes culture only for Nocardia and other aerobic actinomycetes. A single negative culture does not rule out the presence of infection.