Sputum, other respiratory specimen, urine, gastric aspirate, body fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), stool, bone marrow, or tissue. Collect sputum in a sputum collection container; bronch brush in 2 mL sterile saline; all others in sterile plastic container. Add small amount of sterile saline to tissue. Gastric aspirate must be neutralized within 1 hour of collection to pH 7.0 using 100 mg sodium carbonate. Swab and stool specimens are discouraged. If a swab is the only available specimen, submit in sterile container with 2-3 mL sterile saline. DO NOT use swab with transport media.
Stability:
1 hour ambient, or 72 hours refrigerated. Specimen unstable frozen. It is recommended specimen be received in laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
Standard Volume:
5-10 mL respiratory; >50 mL urine; 5-10 mL gastric aspirate; 2-3 mL synovial fluid; 15-100 mL other body fluid; 2-3 mL CSF; 5-10 grams stool (5 mL if liquid); 0.5-2 mL bone marrow.
Minimum Volume:
3 mL respiratory; 10 mL urine; 5 mL gastric aspirate; 2 mL synovial fluid; 10 mL other body fluid; 2 mL CSF; 1 gram stool (1 mL if liquid); 0.5 mL bone marrow.
Transport:
Refrigerated.
Comments:
It is recommended that three sputum specimens be collected over an 8- to 24-hour time period, with at least one collected just after awakening. Three first morning urine specimens should be collected on consecutive days. Smear is made from a concentrated specimen. Note: AFB Smear Only (without a culture) should be ordered only when following respiratory specimens on previously diagnosed patients.
Rejection Criteria:
Multiple same-site specimens in 24-hour period (sputum excepted); pooled sputum or urine; less than minimum volume received; dry material; delayed transport; specimen in EDTA; frozen specimen; rectal swab; less than minimum volume received. Note: purulent sputum specimen of 1-3 mL will be accepted with a qualifier. Specimen appearing to be saliva will be rejected regardless of volume. Leaking container will be rejected.
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