Container & Turnaround Additional transport requirements and Investigation Samples tested Sample volume time other comments Specific TB culture Blood and bone marrow bottles obtained from 6-8 weeks samples Pathology Reception Transport to the laboratory on the day Note: The laboratory is of collection or store not UKAS accredited mL in Sterile overnight at room ≥1 for this test for sample CSF and/or respiratory universal container temperature. 4 days types CSF and tissue. samples (min. 2mls for BAL This test is only samples) performed with prior See agreement with a for further information Consultant Microbiologist. The distal end section of Sterile universal 3 days catheter container Tissue (including bone) and/or biopsy samples in sterile universal Samples may be referred to the Mycobacteria Sterile universal container, Fine needle 7-10 days Reference Unit, Public Health England, for further container aspirates in sterile investigation. universal container Now referred externally to Bristol antimicrobial Reference laboratory. Sample referral and reporting managed by Infection & Immunity laboratory. Refer to website Amies transport Swab 3 days medium Amies transport Transport to the laboratory on the day of Urethral swab medium containing 3 days collection or store overnight at room temperature charcoal Mid-stream clean-catch Sterile universal Click for instructions to patients on how to 2 days urine container collect a urine sample
Investigation Samples tested Container & Sample volume Turnaround time Additional transport requirements and other comments Blood and bone marrow samples Specific TB culture bottles obtained from Pathology Reception 6-8 weeks CSF and/or respiratory samples ≥1 mL in Sterile universal container (min. 2mls for BAL samples) 4 days Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or store overnight at room temperature. This test is only performed with prior agreement with a Consultant Microbiologist. Note: The laboratory is not UKAS accredited for this test for sample types CSF and tissue. See for further information The distal end section of catheter Sterile universal container 3 days Tissue (including bone) and/or biopsy samples in sterile universal container, Fine needle aspirates in sterile universal container Sterile universal container 7-10 days Samples may be referred to the Mycobacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, for further investigation. Now referred externally to Bristol antimicrobial Reference laboratory. Sample referral and reporting managed by Infection & Immunity laboratory. Refer to website Swab Amies transport medium 3 days Urethral swab Amies transport medium containing charcoal 3 days Transport to the laboratory on the day of collection or store overnight at room temperature Mid-stream clean-catch urine Sterile universal container 2 days Click for instructions to patients on how to collect a urine sample