Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex, PCR, Non-Respiratory

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1232283, Beaker: MTB Non Resp, Quest: 30277

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: ONE of the following specimen types:

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): 1.0 mL in a sterile collection container.
• Pericardial fluid: 1.0 mL in sterile collection container.
• Peritoneal fluid: 1.0 mL in sterile collection container.
• Synovial fluid: 1.0 mL in sterile collection container.
• Urine: 1.0 mL in sterile collection container.
  

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL Body fluid in a sterile collection container, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Rejection Criteria

• Swabs.
• Sputum.
• Culture isolates.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Maintain specimen refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Transport: 1.0 mL Body fluid in a sterile collection container, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F). (Minimum: 0.5 mL)

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 48 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 14 days
Frozen: (-20°C/-4°F or below): 30 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Quest Diagnostics, Wood Dale, IL.

Performed

Daily.
Results available in 2-4 days. 

Reference Range

Not detected.

Test Methodology

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)

CPT Codes

87556

Contacts

Last Updated

1/28/2026