Test ID: ACT
Actinomyces Culture
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Diagnosing anaerobic Actinomyces involved in infections
Reflex Tests Lists test(s) that may or may not be performed, at an additional charge, depending on the result and interpretation of the initial test(s)
| Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANAID | Anaerobe Ident | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| ISAN | Anaerobe Ident by Sequencing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
| TISSR | Tissue Processing | No, (Bill Only) | No |
Testing Algorithm Delineates situation(s) when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
When this test is ordered, the reflex tests may be performed and charged.
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Conventional Culture Techniques
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
50011-ACT
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Specimen should arrive within 24 hours of collection.
Specimen Type: Abscesses, intrauterine devices, percutaneous transtracheal aspirates, sterile body fluids, suprapubic aspirations, wounds
Container/Tube: Anaerobic transport vial (BBL Port-A-Cul Vial) (Supply T591)
Specimen Volume: Entire specimen
Additional Information: Specimen source is required.
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | NA |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | Swab |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Ambient | 72 hours |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Anaerobic Actinomyces are non sporeforming, thin branching, gram-positive bacilli that are part of the normal flora of the human oral cavity and may also colonize the gastrointestinal and female genital tracts. Their presence is important in preserving the usual bacterial populations of the mouth and in preventing infection with pathogenic bacteria.
Actinomyces are generally of low pathogenicity but may be an important factor in the development of periodontal disease and may cause soft tissue infections in colonized areas of the body following trauma (surgical or otherwise). The typical lesion consists of an outer zone of granulation around central purulent loculations containing masses of tangled organisms ("sulfur granule"). Chronic burrowing sinus tracts develop. Typical actinomycotic infections occur around the head and neck, in the lung and chest wall, and in the peritoneal cavity and abdominal wall. Actinomycosis of the female genital tract occurs in association with use of intrauterine contraceptive devices. Purulent collections containing "sulfur granules" may drain from some sinus tracts opening to the skin.
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
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Isolation of anaerobic Actinomyces in significant numbers from well collected specimens including blood, other normally sterile body fluids, or closed collections of purulent fluid indicates infection with the identified organism.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Specimens should be collected by needle and syringe aspiration or surgical drainage to avoid contamination with normal-flora Actinomyces, especially in and around the oral cavity; such contamination would make interpretation of culture results impossible.
Specimens must be transported in anaerobic transport vials.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Finegold SM, George WL: Anaerobic Infections in Humans. San Diego, CA, Academic Press, 1989
2. Summanen P, Baron EJ, Citron D, et al: Wadsworth Anaerobic Bacteriology Manual, 5th edition. Star Publishing Co. 1993
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Appropriate specimens are inoculated onto blood agar and into thioglycollate broth which are incubated under anaerobic conditions. Cultures are examined after 48 hours of incubation and thereafter (maximum of 14 days) for the presence of organisms that have characteristic colonial and Gram-stain morphologies. Definitive identification is made using 16S rRNA sequencing or a variety of biochemical tests and gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of volatile fatty acids that are produced by fermentation of glucose.(Koneman EW, Allen SD, Janda WM, et al: Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. Fifth edition. New York, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1997, pp 709-784)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Continuously
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
87075-Actinomyces culture
87076-Anaerobe identification (if appropriate)
62258-Id MALDI-TOF Mass Spec Anaerobe (if appropriate)
87153-Anaerobe identification by sequencing (if appropriate)
87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| ACT | Actinomyces Culture | In Process |
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