Mycobacterial Culture (Sputum)

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Testing Laboratory

Auckland Te Toka Tumai | Auckland Hospital

Department

Microbiology

Delphic Registration Code (Alpha Code)

TB1

Test Code (Numeric Code)

2297

Laboratory Handling

Transport

Specimen: Chilled (2 - 8°C) Referred Culture: Ambient

Registration

Unique registration required with no other tests.

Separating

TB specimens for culture requests from NDHB labs are only primary type specimens e.g. sputum, bronchial washing, tissue. The transport pottle can be opened and the Test Referral Receipted process done before sending specimens to the TB Lab. All other TB cultures/isolates/organisms received from any other laboratory must not be opened, but sent to TB Lab who will complete any specimen receipted process required. If in doubt, contact the TB lab for clarification.

Sample Stability

24 hours

Synonyms

Acid Fast Bacilli
AFB
Atypical Mycobacteria
TB Culture
Gastric Washings tuberculosis
Isolate mycobacterium
Isolates TB
MAIC
Mycobacterium avium
Mycobacterium bovis
Mycobacterium
Mycobacterium culture
Mycobacterium lepra
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium susceptibility testing
Nontuberculosis mycobacterium
NTM
TB
Tuberculosis
Tuberculous specimen

Turnaround Time

6 weeks

Specimens must reach the laboratory before 10:00 hours (Monday to Friday) for the smear result to be available on the same day. Smear results are available within 24 hours of specimen arrival at the TB laboratory (Monday-Friday). Positive cultures of acid-fast bacilli are reported immediately after growth occurs. Culture and identification results are available for new smear positive cases within 3 weeks. Negative culture results are reported after completion of 6 weeks incubation time. Susceptibility testing will be available within 4 weeks for smear positive cases and referred isolates in most cases.

Specimen Type

  • Bronchial Washing
  • Sputum

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Specimen Container
Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

10

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred
  • Specimen Container

Additional Specimen Information

Collect one specimen a day for three successive days into wide mouthed leak proof containers.

Last updated: 13/04/2026