What We Do 

The Mycobacteriology Laboratory identifies Mycobacterium species and other aerobic actinomycetes from submitted clinical specimens and referred isolates. Susceptibility testing for several antimicrobials is performed on Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and Mycobacterium kansasii. M. tuberculosis complex and M. kansasii testing details may also be found in the DSHS Laboratory Testing Service Manual (LTSM) test menu, here.

The tuberculosis (TB) testing services offered by the Mycobacteriology Laboratory are twofold:

• Diagnostic testing

• Reference testing

How to Use This Guide

• The specimen submission and shipping guidance on these pages is provided for healthcare providers and clinical and reference laboratory submitters for mycobacteriological testing at the DSHS Austin Laboratory.

• Patients who have health concerns about TB, Hansen’s disease, or NTM infection or who seek to submit specimens for analysis are encouraged to discuss those concerns with their healthcare provider. DSHS laboratory staff cannot make treatment recommendations.

• Click on the menu items to quickly navigate to the section of interest.

Notices

95 kPa Specimen Transport Bags as Replacement Secondary Containers for TB Elimination Program

Submitters may receive alternate, approved secondary containers in their TB supply orders if the standard secondary containers are not available. Guidance on how to package specimen tubes so they fit in the alternate 95 kPa specimen transport bags is available from the TB Lab.

_{Custom-made secondary containers (at left), ordered from the DSHS Laboratory may be replaced with 95kPa transport bags (middle image). Guidance on how to package specimens in the bags so they fit in the cardboard outer mailers (at right), is available from the Lab.}

Every TB Specimen Counts: Preventing Untestable Specimens

TB sputum specimen tubes sometimes leak before arriving at the Laboratory and cannot be tested. Leaks are frequently caused by improperly closed tubes. To ensure high quality, testable specimens, please

• secure specimen in Falcon tube

• close lid tightly, making sure the cap is threaded properly, and

• seal lid with wrap such as Parafilm, if available, to help prevent leaks.

Ship sputum specimens cold to minimize growth of non-target organisms.

_{Closing the lid firmly and wrapping it in Parafilm helps to reduce the likelihood of leaks.} 

DSHS TB Surveillance Program Guidance is Available

The DSHS TB Branch provides patient specimen collection and shipping boxes to participants in the TB Elimination Program.

• One-page guidance flyers about packaging and shipping TB specimens to DSHS Laboratory are available.
  • TB Cold Box Packing Guidelines
  • TB Patient Self-Collect Guidelines
  • TB Patient Self-Collect Guidelines (Spanish)
  • Ordering TB Collection and Shipping Supplies

Mycobacterium Susceptibility Testing 

More information on TB screening for antibiotic sensitivity is available here.

Austin Laboratory Correspondence and Bulletins 

Microbiological Sciences Branch Notices 

How to Contact the Mycobacteriology/TB Team

Call: Mycobacteriology Branch Manager at 512-776-7342

Email: mycobacteriology@dshs.texas.gov