Mobile Site ›
Print Page Email Page

Interpretive Handbook

‹ Back to index | Back to list | More information

Test 80278:
Culture Referred for Identification, Mycobacterium

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Both Mycobacterium and Nocardia include pathogenic and nonpathogenic species. Traditional speciation based on growth characteristics and biochemical reaction patterns is time-consuming and often does not differentiate between closely related species.

 

In this test, nucleic acid hybridization probes are utilized that identify specific ribosomal RNA sequences of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium avium complex, and Mycobacterium gordonae. Organisms that are not identified by nucleic acid hybridization probes are further tested and speciated by nucleic acid sequencing of a 500-base pair region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Rapid identification to the species level of Mycobacterium, Nocardia, and other aerobic actinomycetes from pure cultures

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

Organisms growing in pure culture are identified to the species level whenever possible.

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

If the organism is received in mixed culture or contaminated, the report may be delayed or identification may not be possible.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Not applicable

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Pfyffer GE: Mycobacterium: general characteristics, laboratory detection, and staining procedures. In Manual of Clinical Microbiology