Pre-testing Requirements
Notify laboratory immediately if results are required urgently. Please phone (03) 3640300 Ext 81356 or Ext 88352.
ALL samples are to be well labelled with patient details, NHI and/or DOB and dates of collection.
Additional Specimen Information
Sample: sputum (collected on 3 consecutive days), bronchial washings, faeces, aspirates, pleural fluid, cystoscope QCs.
Small pieces of tissue should be placed in saline to avoid desiccation. DO NOT add formalin.
For blood or bone marrow TB testing, request special media from Bacteriology lab on Ext 80117.
The optimal volume for CSF is 5ml.
Urine is not a suitable specimen to exclude pulmonary Tb. Please only send Early Morning Urine, 50ml, to exclude renal/systemic Tb (over 3 consecutive days)
Sample Transportation: Gastric aspirates must be neutralised prior to sending if transit time is > 4hrs. Please contact lab prior to sending.
FFPE for PCR: at least 10 x 10u slices in a pottle.
