Specimen Requirements

Submit only 1 of the following specimens - specimen source is required: 
 
Body Fluid
Container/Tube: Evacuated collection bottle or  Screw-capped, sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: 1 mL to 2 mL of body fluid
Collection Instructions:
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.
2. Specimen source is required.
 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Nails (Finger or Toe)
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: 3 to 5 pieces of fingernails or toenails
Collection Instructions: N/A
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.
2. Specimen source is required.

______________________________________________________________________________________

 
Sputum, Expectorated
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: Early-morning expectorated sputum (minimum volume: 5 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days
Collection Instructions: Collect specimen as follows:
1. Have patient remove dentures, if applicable.
2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs which may inhibit growth of mycobacteria.
3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into container. Nasal secretions, saliva, or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.
2. Specimen source is required.
 ______________________________________________________________________________________

Sputum, Induced
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container(s)
Specimen Volume: Early-morning induced sputum (minimum volume: 5 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days
Collection Instructions: Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline, and collect expectorated material. Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water.
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.
2. Indicate if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.
3. Specimen source is required.

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Bronchial Wash or Bronchial Lavage

Container/Tube: Aspirate trap
Specimen Volume: Early-morning induced sputum (minimum volume: 5 mL) on at least 3 consecutive days
Collection Instructions: Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline, and collect expectorated material. Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water.
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number (if appropriate), date of birth, date and time of specimen collection and collectors initials and/or ID number.
2. Indicate if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.
3. Specimen source is required.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Tissue
Container/Tube: Screw-capped, sterile container(s) without fixative or preservative-Specimen in formalin is not acceptable.
Specimen Volume: 1 g of tissue, if possible
Collection Instructions: Collect aseptically avoiding indigenous microbiota. Select caseous portion if available. Do not immerse in saline or other fluid or wrap in gauze.
 

Note:

1. Label container with patient’s name (first, last, and middle initial), medical record number, date of birth, date and time of collection and collector’s initials and or ID number.
2. Specimen source is required.