Mycobacteria Blood Culture

Microbiology

Usage

Diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) and other Mycobacterial infections

Specimen

Blood

Specimen container

One BD BACTEC Myco/F Lytic Blood Culture Bottle – White capped bottle with narrow neck containing 40ml of clear broth. (Contact laboratory for issue.)

To Request On EPIC

For electronic requesting using EPIC (RDUH ONLY):

Search for: ‘TB & Mycobacteria (Blood)‘ or test code ‘LAB1354‘

Special Instructions

Requests must be discussed with a Consultant Microbiologist before sending as a special type of blood culture bottle needs to be used (supplied by Microbiology)

- Please use risk of infection stickers
- Please supply full clinical details
- Please state if this is a follow up sample from a previous positive. If yes, please give details of previous positive
- Please state if the patient is on Anti-TB therapy

Try to ensure any samples are taken Monday to Friday and received by the laboratory by 2pm – sample ideally needs to be sent to reference laboratory on the same day.

DO NOT send sample via POD (container made of glass)