TB investigation pus

Description: 
Pus for mycobacteria investigation.
Microscopy (auramine staining for AFB ) and culture (BD MGIT and LJ culture) is performed in Viapath Analytics St Thomas's Microbiology. Positive cultures are referred to the National Mycobacterium reference Laboratory for identification and sensitivity testing.
Turn around time microscopy 1-2 days, culture 8-10weeks (8 weeks for a negative culture)
Significant auramine and culture results are telephoned to the ward or clinical team by Microbiology Clinical staff.Microscopy, isolation of Mycobacteria.
Clinical details: 
Mycobacterial infection, TB, AFB
Related condition or disease: 
Mycobacterial disease
Synonyms or keywords: 
Acid fast Bacilli (AFB), TB
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
Pus for AFB
Please send 5 ml in a plain sterile universal container.
Turnaround time: 
Turn around time microscopy (auramine) 1-2 days, culture 6-10weeks (6 weeks for a negative culture). Significant auramine and culture results are telephoned to the ward or clinical team by Microbiology Clinical staff.
Criteria for acceptance / rejections of sample
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR).
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.
Laboratory: 
Microbiology Laboratory at St Thomas'

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Last updated: 01/10/2020