Specimen Requirements

Specimen source is required.

Submit only 1 of the following specimens:

Specimen Type: Body fluid; aspirated

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Aseptically collect specimen.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Genital; vaginal or endocervical

Container/Tube: Large Culturette swab in sterile culture transport tube

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions:

1. Obtain specimen from infected site. Insert swab into vagina or swab endocervix.
2. Place swab in transport tube.
3. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Hair

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: At least 10 to 12 hairs

Collection Instructions: Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Nail scrapings

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: 

1. Cleanse nail with 70% alcohol.
2. Scrape outer surface of nail and discard.
3. Collect nail scrapings from deeper, diseased areas of nail.
4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

Specimen Type: Sputum, early-morning, expectorated

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: Entire collection

Collection Instructions: 

1. Have patient remove dentures.

2. Instruct patient to brush his/her teeth and/or rinse mouth well with water to minimize contaminating specimen with food particles, mouthwash, or oral drugs which may inhibit growth of mycobacteria.

3. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, cough deeply and vigorously into container, and collect 5 mL to 10 mL of discharged material.

4. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.

5. Nasal secretion, saliva, or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.

Specimen Type: Sputum, early-morning, induced

Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 5-10 mL

Collection Instructions: 

1. Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline, and collect expectorated material. Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water.

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
Additional Information: 

1. Indicate if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.
2. Saprophytic mycobacteria in tap water may produce false-positive culture or smear results.

Specimen Type: Swab

Container/Tube: Culturette swab in sterile culture transport tube

Specimen Volume: Swab

Collection Instructions: 

1. Cleanse collection site with 70% alcohol and allow to air dry.
2. Gently swab skin at active border of lesion.
3. Place swab in transport tube.
4. Label tube with patient’s name (first and last), medical record number, date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.