Diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) and other Mycobacterial infections
Blood
One BD BACTEC Myco/F Lytic Blood Culture Bottle – White capped bottle with narrow neck containing 40ml of clear broth. (Contact laboratory for issue.)
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)
For instructions on how to take a blood culture please see the blood culture page.
Sent to Reference Laboratory
Wales Centre for Mycobacteria (Cardiff) – Public Health Wales (PHW)
Up to 6 weeks (for a negative result)
Please phone laboratory
AFB Testing – Lab Tests Online UK
Tuberculosis – Lab Tests Online UK
Non-tuberculous (Atypical) Mycobacterium – Lab Tests Online UK
British Thoracic Society Guidelines
Wales Centre for Mycobacteria (WCM) – Public Health Wales
(Key words: AFB)
Specimen Labelling Procedure