Tuberculosis/Mycobacteriology Specimens

TB (Mycobacteriology) Specimen Collection, Packaging and Shipping

External laboratories may be charged a fee per test. Contact the IDOH Lab for specific cost.

1. Preferred specimen: Sputum; however, other specimen types may also be acceptable with prior approval.
2. Volume/Amount required: 5-10 mL
3. Collect sputum early in the morning before the patient eats or drinks. It should be raised directly from the lungs and deposited directly into the sterile plastic container. Saliva is unacceptable for testing. Sputa specimens should be collected at a minimum of eight hours apart.
4. Label each specimen with a minimum of the patient’s name, date of birth, and date/time of specimen collection, including a minimum of two unique identifiers on the tube.
5. Specimens should be submitted within 24 hours of collection whenever possible and must be received within 7 days of collection. Avoid batching shipments and ship using overnight delivery or a courier service.  All specimens must be stored, transported and received at 2-8°C.

6A kits can be ordered from the IDOHL Containers Department through LimsNet or by emailing Containers@health.IN.gov Kits are available for UPS shipping as well as for STAT and local courier delivered specimens.

Alternatively, sterile plastic disposable leakproof collection tubes and packaging and shipping materials meeting UN3373 Biological Substances, Category B standards may be used.

1. After collection, tighten the specimen tube cap securely to avoid leakage. Leaking specimens are unacceptable for testing and will be discarded.
2. Complete the LimsNet test request for Tuberculosis (AFB Smear and Culture), ensuring that the patient information on the specimen matches the information on the form.
3. Specimens lacking complete information will not be tested until the missing information has been provided.
4. Specimens should be stored refrigerated at 2-8° C prior to shipping to minimize the growth of contaminants.

Ship to:
Indiana Department of Health Laboratories
Attn: TB Lab
550 West 16th Street
Suite B
Indianapolis, IN 46202

All patient specimens must be packaged and labeled in accordance with federal shipping regulations, using Biological Substances, Category B.

UPS or FedEx transported specimens:

1. Place each sputum collection tube inside of a biohazard bag, including absorbent material.  Secure the bag using the closure at the top.
2. Place the bagged specimens and two frozen ice packs inside of the insulated shipper.  The specimens should be placed between the two ice packs with padding (such as paper towels) between the tubes and the ice packs.
3. Include the LimsNet coversheet outside of the insulated shipper to prevent contamination from the specimen.
4. Tape the box closed securely.  Affix the pre-addressed shipping label to the outer packaging.
5. Specimens should be shipped to arrive at IDOHL Monday through Friday. Specimens should not be shipped to be in transit during the weekend or holiday.

STAT courier or LHD delivered specimens:

1. Wrap the labeled specimen collection tube with absorbent material and place it in the inner plastic shipping canister and tighten the cap securely.
2. Place the inner plastic shipping canister in the outer shipping cardboard canister and tighten the cap securely.
3. Place the LimsNet coversheet in either the outer container or in a plastic bag to prevent contamination from the specimen.
4. Specimens should be transported in coolers with frozen ice packs and arrive at IDOHL at 2-8°C.
5. Specimens should be delivered to IDOHL Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:15 am and 4:45 pm

1. Results will be reported by LimsNet.
2. Preliminary results will be available within 1-3 business days after specimen receipt, and final culture results will be available within six weeks.
3. PCR will be performed automatically for smear positive specimens for patients with an unknown TB status and for smear negatives upon request. Cultures will be identified using PCR or MALDI-TOF, and drug susceptibility testing will be performed automatically for newly identified TB patients.
4. Isolates may be forwarded to the CDC or a reference laboratory for additional testing. Cultures identified as MTBC will be forwarded to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Bureau of Laboratories for genotyping studies as required by the IDOH Communicable Disease Rule.