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Test ID SSF1 Nocardia Stain, Varies


Necessary Information


Specimen source is required.



Specimen Required


Container/Tube: Sterile container

Specimen Volume: 0.2 mL

Collection Instructions: Collect a raw specimen.


Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.

Secondary ID

87294

Useful For

Detecting Nocardia species and other partially-acid fast aerobic actinomycetes in clinical specimens

Reflex Tests

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
TISSR Tissue Processing No, (Bill Only) No

Method Name

Modified Acid-Fast Stain

Reporting Name

Nocardia Stain

Specimen Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Varies Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Ambient  7 days

Clinical Information

Nocardia species and other aerobic actinomycetes can cause significant disease in immunocompromised patients. Clinical presentations can include, but are not limited to, pneumonia, skin abscess, bacteremia, brain abscess, eye infection, and joint infection.

 

The modified acid-fast stain can detect Nocardia species and other partially-acid fast aerobic actinomycetes directly from clinical specimens.

Reference Values

Reported as positive or negative

Cautions

Artifacts may exhibit nonspecific staining and be confused with organisms. Not all aerobic actinomycetes stain as partially acid-fast. A negative stain does not rule out the possibility of infection and culture should be performed. Nocardia species and other aerobic actinomycetes grow well on mycobacterial culture medium so CTB / Mycobacteria and Nocardia Culture, Varies should be ordered. Sometimes, Nocardia species can also be recovered in fungal cultures (FGEN / Fungal Culture, Routine).

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 to 2 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

87206

87176-Tissue processing (if appropriate)

NY State Approved

Yes