Specimen Requirements

Specimen may be stored up to 24 hour in the refrigerator (2 - 8 C).  Transport at room temperature within 2 hours.

Expectorated

1. Collect an early-morning specimen on at least 3 consecutive days in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. 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 the growth of mycobacteria.
B. Have patient remove dentures.
C. Instruct patient to take a deep breath, hold it momentarily, then cough deeply and vigorously into container, and collect 5 mL to 10 mL of discharged material. (Nasal secretion, saliva, or 24-hour collection is not acceptable.)

2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and type of specimen.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  Specimen source is required on request form for processing.

Induced
1. Collect an early-morning specimen on at least 3 consecutive days in a screw-capped, sterile container as follows:
A. Induce cough by inhalation of sterile, hypertonic saline. Collect 5 mL to 10 mL of expectorated material.
2. Label container with patient’s name (first and last), date and actual time of collection, and source of specimen.
3. Maintain sterility and forward promptly.
Note:  1. Avoid sputum contamination with nebulizer reservoir water.
2. Saprophytic mycobacteria in tap water may produce false-positive culture or smear results.
3. Indicate on request form if specimen is induced sputum, as these watery specimens resemble saliva and risk rejection as inadequate.
4. Specimen source is required on request form for processing.