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

Specimen Type: Stool, Bone Marrow
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

Receiving Instructions: If specimen is not stool or bone marrow, Login: AFBHSC (AFB culture with smear)

Lab Department

Microbiology(MC)

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

Call lab

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Microbiology 206-744-5858 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420