TB investigation Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA)/ FNA lymph node

Description: 
Fine needle aspirate (FNA), endobronchial FNA or FNA lymph node for mycobacteria investigation. Microscopy (auramine staining for AFB ) and culture (BD MGIT and LJ slopes) is performed in Viapath Analytics St Thomas's Microbiology. Positive cultures are referred to the National Mycobacterial 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.
Clinical details: 
Mycobacterial infection, TB, AFB
Synonyms or keywords: 
Acid fast Bacilli (AFB), TB, FNA, FNA lymph node
Department: 
Infection Sciences Department
Location: 
St Thomas' Hospital
Sample type and Volume required: 
FNA lymph node for AFB, FNA lymph node for AFB, endobronchial FNA for AFB.
Please send 5 ml in a plain sterile universal container.
Specimens received in formol-saline are not suitable for culture.
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