| Synonym(s): | Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) identification, phenotypic identification |
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| Requisition Form | G-MYCO |
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| Test Description | Identification of referred pure mycobacterial isolates by biochemical methods, including the following tests: arylsulfatase, nitrate reduction, urease, carbohydrate utilization, iron uptake, semiquantitative catalase, sodium chloride, tween 80, tellurite reduction, heat stable catalase |
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| Pre-Approval Needed | N/A |
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| Supplemental Information Required | N/A |
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| Supplemental Form(s) | N/A |
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| Performed on Specimens from (sources) | Pure isolate from human sources |
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| Sample/Specimen Type for Testing | Mycobacterium species pure isolate in liquid or on solid culture medium |
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| Minimum Volume/Size Required | - Liquid culture: 2.0 mL
- Solid culture: Single mature colony
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| Storage/Preservation Prior to Shipping | Ambient |
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| Transport Medium | N/A |
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| Specimen Labeling | - At least two patient identifiers required on specimen (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, medical record number).
- Three patient identifiers are preferred.
- Patient identifiers on specimen label must exactly match identifiers on submission form. (e.g., abbreviated name on label and full name on form is not acceptable.)
- Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen labeling guidelines available online here.
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| Shipping and Specimen Handling Requirements | - Ship at ambient temperatures.
- Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49.
- Category B Biological Substance, UN3373 shipping requirements apply to unidentified isolates.
- Submitters are responsible for packaging and shipping specimens according to regulatory requirements.
- Additional DSHS Laboratory specimen shipping guidelines online here.
- Ship specimens overnight Monday–Thursday to avoid weekend deliveries.
- Do not ship specimens for holiday or weekend delivery.
- Ensure media used to isolate specimens is not expired.
- Additional DSHS Laboratory submission guidelines available online here.
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| Method | - Biochemical testing to detect the presence of absence of an enzyme.
- Physiological testing
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| Turn-around Time | 14 days |
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| Interferences/Limitations | - Identification by biochemical tests is performed in conjunction with the morphological characteristics of the isolate and the HPLC pattern derived from cell wall analysis.
- Biochemical testing can be affected by the age of the culture.
- Identification by biochemical testing is limited and may not differentiate species without testing such as sequencing or mass spectrometry.
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| Common Causes for Rejection | - Cultures overgrown by mold.
- Cultures broken in transit.
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| Additional Information | Basic biochemical testing includes the most common biochemical panel used in the identification of Mycobacterium species. |
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