Vanderbilt Pathology Laboratory Services
Test Directory
CULTURE URETHRAL AFB (UTA)
Department: MicrobiologyTest Synonym(s): UTA, Urethral culture AFB, Acid fast bacilli
Test Components: AFB culture, AFB stain
CPT Codes: 87116: culture, 87206: stain, 87015: concentration
Methodology: Culture and fluorochrome stain
Reference Range: Negative for acid fast bacilli
Tube Type: Culturette - swab
Specimen: Urethral
Temperature: Room temperature
Stability: Send to lab immediately
Reasons for Rejection: Non sterile or leaking container. Excessive delay in transport.
Days Performed: Daily
TAT: AFB smear: 1-3 days, culture: 6 weeks for negative culture, varies for positive culture
Special Instructions: AFB smear included with culture and has a separate charge. There will be separate charges for organism identification for positive cultures. AFB susceptibility testing is sent out to a reference laboratory. Mycobacterium tuberculosis susceptibility testing is done automatically by the TN State Lab. Susceptibility testing for other Mycobacterium species must be requested; these tests are sent to a reference laboratory.
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