Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) Direct Detection by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Direct HPLC, Acid Fast Bacilli, Mycobacteria, mycolic acid, tuberculosis, Hansen's disease

G-MYCO

Mycolic acid analysis identification of AFB in smear-positive processed specimens

Yes; call 512-776-7342 for pre-approval

N/A

N/A  

• Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number)
• Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.

Specimens must be concentrated and smear positive

Processed sediment volume >/= 1 mL

N/A

N/A

• Two patient-specific identifiers required (e.g., patient full name, date of birth, Medical record number)

• Identifiers on specimen must exactly match submission form.

• Ship according to Dangerous Goods Regulations, IATA, and/or CFR 49

• Category B shipping applies

High performance liquid chromatography

1 day

• Direct HPLC may only detect the predominant organism in a mixed population.

• Direct HPLC is not highly sensitive and will not be conclusive on specimens that have negative or weakly AFB positive smears.

• Direct HPLC cannot determine the viability of organisms detected

• Direct HPLC results that are negative for M. tuberculosis complex do not conclusively rule out the presence of viable M. tuberculosis complex in the specimen.

Volume insufficient for testing

Processed specimen sediments may be accepted for testing following pre-approval but AFB smear and culture must be performed concurrently in the submitting laboratory.